Dear Daddy

I feel the need to write to you;
There are things I want to say.
This is coming from my heart;
You will get these words, I pray.

I must admit, when I was little;
I didn't think much of you.
The bottle was your closest friend;
I felt no love, it's true.

I need to tell you, I have grown;
No more hatred do I bear.
I think you always did love me;
I just felt you didn't care.

I know that it was an illness;
I realize this as I've grown.
Is this the way you were treated?
Perhaps no love to you was shown?

I've been harsh in some of my poems;
They were written as I cried.
I did it for my peace of mind;
And you must know, I never lied.

It was the way I felt, at the time;
It wasn't to hurt you in any way.
It was how I saw you back then;
In my memory these thoughts will stay.

I want you to know that I forgive you;
And through my poetry, I felt release.
I just hope that you are happy now;
And with God, that you found peace.

© Betty Hawkins 2004
(All Rights Reserved)