My Father's absence:

[Philatone]

hello billy

I realize it's mild critique and tried to keep it toned down, but I couldn't hold back because I like what you have. see if any of the suggestions resonate with you

Dandelions almost crushed ...this is my personal preference butting in, but "almost" always strikes me as a word that weakens
listed to the side of my dad's boot.
I turned to run, but not before
he sailed it up my laughing arse....debated removing this line; think it adds a little tension if you jump right to what your mum saw

Mum saw it happen
through different eyes than mine;...i get the idea...but it is somewhat redundant with the line before
dad almost shat when she screamed.
"If you hurt that boy!"

He became meek when she hollered;
meek enough for me to six his nuts
kung fu panda style.
We always laughed when he clutched his cluster.../c/ sounds are great

...transition here?

I fell one time and busted up my leg bad
Pop acted as though it was his leg that broke
"Don't tell her what happened," he asked.
I didn't, the doctor from the hospital did....could even cut out the "I didn't"

We fought lions together
and pinned our pain on each other.
Real soldiers me and dad--
he left me his medals. [b]...interesting play, "me and dad" with "medals"