Dad I Called John

I had a dad

That I called John

That I called John

I had a dad

That I called John

He brought a

Motorcycle home

One time he brought

A motorcycle

Home from somewhere

I remember i’s proud

The block by our house

On providence

Boulevard

He took me around

My mother insisted

That he take it back

Why he backed down

He wasn’t allowed

I was upset

That he didn’t stand up

She called him names

Made him feel shame

But I wished that you’d kept it

I wished that you'd kept it

Why is that one

Piece of my life

The part that I think

The part with the keys

You had a childhood

You lived till your 60s

You played with some stars

It was only one thing.

But that one time you had

A motorcycle

All of your own

I thought we’d be free

To express the things

We wanted from life

I liked all of the

Possibilities

I bought my own

Twenty-five year old bike

A Yamaha V-star

It mostly stays in the garage

I take it out sometimes

When the weather turns warm

When I get a wild hair

I drive it around

I remember my stories

Of the last fifteen years

The lives that I lived

The times I felt free

Sometimes I drive

So goddamn fast

Out on those backroads

Like it’s the last night i’ll see

But I wish you’d have kept it

I wish that you had

Taken more

Charge of your life

And not just accepted

You were only a dad

I wish you’d been louder

And taught me to lead.

Cause goddamn we all need it

We need someone strong

To show us that we

Don't have to put up with this

Form of control

From someone we love

Who has their own fears

And tries to keep us so small

Cause I had a dad

That I called John

One time he brought

A motorcycle home