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Every year it was the same.

Standing there at the gate,

Shit-eating grin on his face.

“Welcome boys and girls, to the State Fair of Texas”.

 

Bigger than life, bigger than you and me,

Bigger than anything you will ever see.

 

And to this day, he plagues me.

 

He stands in my dreams.

Inescapable, like a pop tune, or a tooth ache.

He can not be moved.

 

He is the father-in-law I never knew,

the Dad I didn’t have.

the God who left me long ago.

 

But more than that, he is a bully.

He hides under that stupid hat like a turtle.

 

Come down here, and fight like a man, you big poof,

I yell in my dreams.

What, are you scared of a little rock in a sling?

Wipe that grin off your face, and tell me who you are.

 

But there is no response. Just that same silly line.

 

OK, I’m giving you one more warning, and then I’m done.

I’m going to the Ferris wheel, and try to have some fun.