A Dad is a Dad is a Dad?

The farmer is a cheery sort.
He likes to talk
a lot
and the laughter that punctuates his words
grates after awhile.

"Stay in the barn," he tells his young son.
"I want to go out."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because."
"But why?"
"Because I said so and that's reason enough."

I swallow hard.
Is it '53 or '03?
Some things seem never to change
This dad, my dad, all dads?

Wonderings

As we work
the old man stands off to the side
in one of the cattle pens
his arms crossed, resting atop a walking stick.

I once heard that his eyes pierce
that in the deceptive quiet
his mind is whirling
calculating his next business move.

I think I see a twinkle in his eye,
the silence seems warm and friendly,
broken now and then
as he joins the conversation.

I wonder.
Perhaps I am naive
but I prefer to see
this man my friend.