Poem for Dad

If I didn't see you -
If we argued, or I settled somewhere new,
Or you grew old and passed away,
Leaving your mark in me,
I would remember thistle-tickle on my ankles,
And the sea today. Conversations about
Education, music, poetry, geology.
Then hugging a warm bag of Chinese takeaway
On my lap in the car.

And I have been your daughter
Over seven-thousand days.
We have talked about what life means,
Loneliness and other things.
I used to ride on your back as you swam,
Whale-like, out from the shore.
But you were my passenger today,
Directing me, pressing imaginary
Pedals with your feet when I failed
To brake fast enough.

We took ourselves up to the misty sea
And I found out, there on the cliffs,
That we were both much older
Than we had been able to foresee
And that I would have to be sure
Not to forget to start collecting
Memories of you and me.