“Higher Learning” by John Tustin


My son liked sea chanties
And my daughter liked Neil Young’s Harvest album
And Ennio Morricone.
They both liked Tom Waits.
In the limited time I had with them
I crammed all the learning about the finer things
That I could.

Someday in the future their significant others will ask them about me
And they’ll hear a song off of Bob Dylan’s Desire in their heads
Before they respond.

Whatever they say about me,
They better say I taught them well.


John Tustin is currently suffering in exile on the island of Elba but hopes to return to you soon. fritzware.com/johntustinpoetry contains links to his published poetry online.