1969

by Edward Dewar

What if I was mistaken?
I always assumed
it was my
Father’s book.
It took years for me

to work my way
far enough
into the room

so that I could open
the night table drawer.

I was sure it held secrets
or at least something
valuable. It joined

their twin
beds together.
It was dark
brown with a grainy

exterior and had
a chunky brass handle.
Initially the drawer stuck

but then it slid open.
Inside was a box
of condoms,
a broken

wristwatch
and Mario Puzo’s
novel with a couple

of dog–eared pages