1969
by Edward Dewar
What if I was mistaken?
I always assumed
it was my
Father’s book.
It took years for me
to work my way
far enough
into the room
so that I could open
the night table drawer.
I was sure it held secrets
or at least something
valuable. It joined
their twin
beds together.
It was dark
brown with a grainy
exterior and had
a chunky brass handle.
Initially the drawer stuck
but then it slid open.
Inside was a box
of condoms,
a broken
wristwatch
and Mario Puzo’s
novel with a couple
of dog–eared pages