Brian Gotta

A Question

Sitting in the quiet, dark room,
our faces flickering in television glow,
the football game in the fourth quarter,
my grown son asked if I was afraid to die.

I said, “Do you know how you feel
when you’ve had a good, hard day at work,
stayed extra late, got everything done
you come home, have dinner,
play with the kids before
finally getting them to sleep,
and now you can’t wait
to fall into bed?
That’s how I feel every day.

I’m not ready to turn in yet,
but no, I’m not afraid.”