QUOTE : All I want<br />is Papi back.<br />I want his<br /><br />booming laugh <br />to shake the walls.<br />I want his heavy <br /><br />knock to the<br />outside door.<br />I want his<br /><br />stupid sayings,<br />& his angry bellow,<br />& his mixed-up English<br /><br />he would pepper<br />in conversation<br />& his eyes<br /><br />that misted over<br />when he prayed<br />or when he danced.<br /><br />There are pieces <br />of him all over <br />this barrio,<br />all over <br />República Dominicana,<br />& beyond that <br /><br />to New York City,<br />but I can't bundle<br />those pieces.<br /><br />Can't tie them tight with twine;<br />can't blow life into them,<br />or shed light onto them<br /><br />or assemble those pieces<br />to make anything, anyone,<br />resembling him.