Daughter…

Daughter…

A father you say

I am not sure if I grew into it

The blood from the umbilical

Splashed and I was smitten

I told them all, everyone I passed

That you were born

But forgot to look at who you were

I know what you became

The beauty borne within you.

A father you say,

I say that I’m the lucky one

As I always was

Even when confused

Staggering, (when alcohol-free),

Beneath a healthy weight of responsibility

Trying to grow up quickly

Not succeeding

But never giving up.

There were no cigars or

Back-slapping, finger-snapping

Man-hugs,

No father of mine

To guide me,

Only me waiting to hold you.

Your cries were always closer to my heart

Than my own

I felt yours beat against my chest

The flutter of your breath

Upon my neck.

Every pain you have ever felt

Cut me to the bone

To be endured to ensure your safety

And it evermore will be so

As long as I do breathe

And even longer

Given the chance.

A father you say

I say that you are my daughter

But I am still a child.