"I love you"
Words all dad's hope to hear
from their daughter
as soon as she can speak.
"I hate you"
Something a father never wants to hear from his daughter,
but at one point
It will be said.
"I need your help"
Something a dad expects to hear
when his daughter comes home
crying at 3 in the morning.
"I'll miss you"
I say somehow through the tears streaming down my face
as my father leaves
to get drunk with his friends.
"I can help"
I say as my dad yells at my mom
who works too many hours
to be yelled at.
"I'd rather me than you"
I say as I cover up the bruise
that he gave me
when he was mad at my little sister.
"It's only because he works so much"
I say excusing the way he treats us
when my little sister comes into my room
crying.
"It's all your fault, She took after you!"
I say to my father
looking at my sister
passed out drunk.
"It's fine I didn't expect him to be here."
I say to my mother
As I look into the crowd
In search of my father.
"I'm done trying"
I say as I look into the crowd
at graduation
looking for my dad.
"I'd like to say he was a good father but I can't."
I say to the crowd
at the funeral
of my father.
