My Father’s Legacy

by Dianne Moritz

   Skipping home from charm school, I stopped to catch a glimpse of a stranger in the deli’s plate-glass window: teased hair, lips painted fuchsia pink, tweezed eyebrows penciled black — a new me!

   I struck a pose and sauntered on.

   Mother was waiting. “What have you done?” she cried. “Your father’s legacy. Ruined! Go wash your face.”

   That night, I stole the single photograph hidden inside a Sinatra LP, brought my dictionary to bed. I gazed into my father’s eyes, ran a finger down his straight nose, across his bushy brows. I fell asleep, his perfect, sculpted lips pressed lightly to my own.

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Dianne Moritz writes poetry and children’s books from her home in Southampton, NY. Her book, 1, 2, 3 BY THE SEA, was on Bank Street College’s “best book list of 2014.” Adult pieces have appeared The Drabble, Adelaide Literary Magazine, Haikuniverse, The Haiku Foundation, 101 Words, Writing in a Woman’s Voice, and others. She is a frequent contributor to Highlights Magazines for kids.