Want

I asked my son to visit me
before my prescribed six to ten months.
He shook my hand, said I looked well.
We talked about tax season.
I wanted to ask about his love life,
I wanted to ask about his religious beliefs.
We played a silent game of chess,
we traded arbitrary pleasentries.
I wanted to hold him,
I wanted to explain why I'd let him down.
We ate an awkward meal,
we took a divided walk.
I wanted him to ask about his problems,
I wanted to admire who he'd become.
We said our guarded good-byes.
I wanted him to want to stay.