I know a man who was too broken
To heal his own seed when she needed his time
That his own battles were too great to claim her
he failed
            To guard her
So he lost her. And she got lost
Wondering how men should even treat her
At her age every woman gave away their diamonds
           she’s not so giving
She may never do until she finds one
soulfully deserving
13 years since she last admired him
And the famous spaghetti recipe he used to make
With Malcolm X posters on the living room wall
And Islamic books on his wooden podium
She was too young to know who they were
He never told her
How could a 10 year old ask such things
            If she thought she knew her father
…
I know a woman who is too frightened
To let her father in
she has nothing left of him but a middle name, identical teeth gap,
and nightmares that replaced the good memories
he needs saving
but why wasn’t she worth saving
…But I forgive you.
just can’t hug you.
As a daddyless daughter whose father was in, then out, then in and always out again, this touched my soul. This experience is a lifelong deal with it soul wound that another man will never be able to heal. Thanks for sharing.