“My father was born on this day,

Though I know not the year,

I have never committed my name to a birthday card for my father,

Nor did he elect to commit his name to me.

I have compiled a concise collection of facts:

As modest as a grocery list,

As neutral as bread or jam.

His brother’s name is Martin.

his penmanship was a tragedy.

In my possession are two photographs,

Taken from a distance and an odd angle,

But still I see the strange, striking resemblance,

and it is striking to resemble a stranger.”

– Kate Healey