The Silent Fix

Saw you there, wrestling with the sink,

water everywhere, not stopping to think.

Gray tape, shiny and wet, wrapped around,

a losing battle on sodden ground.

And I remembered Dad, the wrench in his hand,

the main valve, turning off the land

of water. How to switch a washer out,

tighten the nut, no single doubt.

The simple fix, a clear, clean thing,

I knew it all, but couldn't bring

the words to you, the moment gone.

Already messed up, already drawn

into your own wet, angry fight.

I just stood there, in the fading light.