A Man Near Magnificence
For Tom

I knew Norman as Tom, others knew Reed,
but all knew him as Heathorn. My son knew
him as the man who had a boat with speed
enough to throw his young body off. True
love is what bought that house. Or true enough.
Wildwood was a magnificent act,
bought for his wife. He made love from mere stuff,
distributing his wealth with wondrous tact.

Tom, like his father Adam, named and knew 
matter. He said, “I could look at any 
built thing and know what tools were used.” Each screw,
nail. Know it in a way God knows many
who die, young, with a box of well-read books
and hopes to give those volumes second looks.

*Image Credit: Unsplash