Dear Dad

Vivid are my memories of you.

The way you looked

The way you smelled

You were my hero.

My little tiny hands you put in yours

Held it tightly in you veined palms

Wrinkled and toughened over the years

But strong all the same.

I'd listen intently

My knees folded against my chest

To your stories so elaborately told

Amazed, amused, in awe of you.

You were my tower of all strength

Your voice that lulled me to sleep

Your name, my first spoken word

How that tower came crashing down!

Why'd you abandon me and leave?

Was I that horrid to live with?

Did you ever love me or was it all untrue?

Or was it because I wasn't the son you wanted?

I never asked for anything, no crayons, no dolls.
All I wanted was to be your little girl.
All I wanted was your love
But you thought only of yourselves.

Now I'm not a little girl anymore.
Now Im starting to forget..
Your face, your smile..it's becoming evanescent.
I struggle to remember now.

But still I'll wait for you.
To see you one more time.
To refresh those waning memories.
To see my tower rise again from the ashes.