My father

My father said, Please finish your studies.

This is what I want you to do. Nervous,
I remember, as though hes raised his fist,
And I am cowed again with misery.
And I will, to make your heart swell,
Learn dead languages, music, numbers.
Youll have a daughter to show your neighbours,
To wink at; to keep your years well.
When younger, my father had wanted
Everything, if he could afford it,
To make me happy. I am sorry
Then I had not learned enough to lie.
Shirley Lim