Reid Baer :: Can't You See?

The poem, "Can't You See?" by Reid Baer, in the video above and in the quoted text below, floored me when I first saw it on youtube about a week ago. I think it was Baer's reading itself that impacted me the most of all: with its stammering emphases, heavy breathing, and its very range of varied, true emotions--especially the natural quiver that falls on his pronunciation of the word 'long' at 2:04/2:05. I asked Reid for permission to post his poem in video and text form here, which he graciously granted, because I thought that perhaps some of y'all readers would enjoy. If you read/watch the poem, leave your impressions/thoughts in the comments section if you would, pretty please!

My youngest son stayed with me this summer
At the right suggestion of his mother

But once again I was thrown into the
Blame and the shame of personal poverty

How many years ago did my family
Side with her in this hellish custody

Can't you see?
Can't you see?
What I mean?

This time around I'm changing the old dreams
For new ones with my boy with all good means

I'm getting the messages rearranged
From when I was mad and possibly deranged

Oh yeah I let my three kids leave but I
Really kicked them out from inside out

Can't you see?
Can't you see?
What this means to me?

I've held onto this anger for so long
Still quietly screaming and hollering

Hey take another look - the ancient restraints are gone
And a sharper sword has cut the binds away

There's nothing left for me to do or say
But let the healing sun shine in today

Can't you see?
Can't you see?
How glad I am to be?

My babies were all but lost and gone
Now each one on his own has come back home

And it's like I'm singing a merry song
After so much pain for so damned long

I honor this last lad who has returned a
Warrior -- willing to see me as his dad

You see!
You see!
What he means to me?!