There, but not there

He kept saying,"Dad..."
And I'd say, "What?"

And he'd say, "Dad!" a bit louder.
And I'd say, "What is it?"

And he'd shout "DAD!"
And I'd snap, "What on earth is it? I'm right here with you!"

And he'd say, "But you're not listening."

And he'd be right.

I was there, but not there. Because my head was worrying about this, and my eyes were focussed on that, and my energy was miles away. I was fooling myself that I was playing with him. I was there, but not there.

So I closed the machine.

And he grabbed it.