In Buffalo, Our Dads Come Back From the Dead to Watch the Big Game With Us
and their drinking becomes ferocious
whenever Josh Allen starts fighting for his life.
“Nothing ever changes,” my dad says after we lose
and offers me a beer. I have to decline
because I'm sober now. His eyes light up with pride
and suddenly loss doesn't hurt as much.
About the Author: Justin Karcher (Twitter: @justin_karcher, Bluesky: @justinkarcher.bsky.social) is a Best of the Net- and Pushcart-nominated poet and playwright from Buffalo, NY. He is the author of several books, including Tailgating at the Gates of Hell (Ghost City Press, 2015). Recent playwriting credits include The Birth of Santa (American Repertory Theater of WNY) and “The Buffalo Bills Need Our Help” (Alleyway Theatre). https://www.justinkarcherauthor.com
Image Credit: Digitally altered version of “Washington Football Team at. Buffalo Bills 18” Creative Commons image courtesy of Wikimedia. CC BY-SA 2.0
As It Ought To Be 
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