paternal blues

my dad doesn't understand the blues
that's because he's not living it
the subtle nuances of pain and distress
every not a scream, shudder, or sigh
silent fingers glide over fretted ash
nickel-plated steel does the talking
a story told to all who'll listen
but my dad still doesn't understand the blues
the weary tales of a disheartened traveler
grunted through the black heart's grasp
the soul does more than showing
shattered cries of a broken man
to a generation stuck in a rut
you live the life of a life once lived
and my dad doesn't understand the blues