William Shunn’s Main Wish Null

Share this post

What Changed

shunn.substack.com

Discover more from William Shunn’s Main Wish Null

Main Wish Null is William Shunn out of order.
Continue reading
Sign in
Poetry

What Changed

You used to be such a sweet boy, tell me everything, ask me all your questions. What happened to you?

William Shunn
Aug 21, 2022
Share this post

What Changed

shunn.substack.com
Share

This poem from 2013 is a variation on the theme of “Why I’m Not a Fan of Father’s Day.”

The author and his father, circa 1969.
You used to be such a sweet boy.
What changed?

You used to tell me everything,
Ask me all your questions.
You couldn’t wait to show off
Your times tables. At age three.
Which you worked out for yourself.
What changed?

You used to climb into my lap
And rub the buzz-cut fuzz
On the back of my head.
You used to ask the barber
To cut your hair
So it was just like mine.
What changed?

You used to show me your stories,
Talk about your friends,
Tell me what was on your mind.
You used to let me point out
When you were straying
From the straight and narrow
In deed or in thought.
What changed?

You didn’t used to keep to yourself,
Skulk around the house,
Stay in your room,
Use that gutter language.
I didn’t used to need to drink,
Or use this belt on you.

What changed? ∅
Share this post

What Changed

shunn.substack.com
Share
Comments
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 William Shunn
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing