First Day of School

How do you rid yourself
of fear? I sold mine
for a quarter. Standing
outside among the morning
dew, zipped into my father's
leather coat, still draped
across his shoulders. His
eyes, frightened, just like mine.
Dropping to my height, his
hands around a coin, his
breath imbuing the metal
with courage. It never left
my side, much like he
never left, until he was
escorted out of the building.
Why did he linger so long?
Was it to give me strength?
Later confessing, it was
to take some back.