by W. S. Merwin    My friend says I was not a good son    you understand    I say yes I understand    he says I did not go    to see my parents very often you know    and I say yes I know    even when I was living in the same city he says    maybe I would go there once    a month or maybe even less    I say oh yes    he says the last time I went to see my father    I say the last time I saw my father    he says the last time I saw my father    he was asking me about my life    how I was making out and he    went into the next room    to get something to give me    oh I say    feeling again the cold    of my father's hand the last time    he says and my father turned    in the doorway and saw me    look at my wristwatch and he    said you know I would like you to stay    and talk with me    oh yes I say    but if you are busy he said    I don't want you to feel that you    have to    just because I'm here    I say nothing    he says my father    said maybe    you have important work you are doing    or maybe you should be seeing    somebody I don't want to keep you    I look out the window    my friend is older than I am    he says and I told my father it was so    and I got up and left him then    you know    though there was nowhere I had to go    and nothing I had to do