virtual reality dad

a new experience to 
plug the drain at the bottom
of your longing. there are
several options. you can have
a supportive dad or a wayward dad 
or a dad who is furious
in the dark. the best experiences
are when you combine options
for a more lifelike experience.
he can teach you how to shave. he can
scold you when you are out too late
& the moon no longer has legs.
he can call you when he's drunk
& neither of you know what
to say to each other. in game mode
he can chase you & it can be playful
or a horror movie or 
desperate like, "please do not
leave me." there is a rumor that
the developer spent years collecting dads
in a little satchel. that he spun 
their veins like wool to make 
the virtual reality dad. i wonder 
if he managed to capture mine.
his particular melancholy. the last time
i was home i walked in on him
with his very on vr halmet on.
he was on a beach. he described it to me.
he said, "it's bermuda. it's just like
i remember it." a sweating beer
in his hand. ragged t-shirt. his
beige wrinkled feet & crooked 
toe nails. i love him & i want 
to join him. there is only one headset
so i just shut my eyes. turn on my
imagination machine & swear that
i feel the heat from a tropical sun.