dance with daddy
wear your tutu
spin and twirl

hold his hand
arabesques

pirouette
into his arms
and heart

you’re his little
prima ballerina

Daddy,

They've been sending me sympathy cards in the mail
And
Stopping me in the streets to say how sorry they are
That
You left me so suddenly not so long ago
Daddy
They ask me how I'm doing
Like
My entire being isn't a shrine to your memory
The
Photo on the post office wall is simply my face in a crowd
Daddy
I'm afraid for what comes next
And
I miss you
And
I miss you
And
I

To drop the call
Forgot
I’m still there
On the other side of the line
Forgot
I’m still here
And I love you
Forgot
Why did u forget?
To keep the safety on
Or was it intentional

Remember when I told you I wanted to marry someone just like you?

How young and naive I was then

You were my idol and someone whom I trusted so deeply

Everything that was cruel and unkind stared me straight in the eyes but still I couldn't see it

I was blinded by trust and the hope that the person I loved would be there tomorrow even if he wasn't here today

I adopted your philosophies and your interests in a desperate attempt to be seen and favored

Your word and your opinion had all the power in the world to shape who I was and how I would think

But I'm not your favorite anymore, am I?
No one is

I'm no longer useful now that I have gained the ability to think for myself

My interests were never something you cared about as long as they didn't benefit you

The only thing that matters to you is drowning your shame until the person I love is unrecognizable

Marry someone like you?
I don't even want to be like you.

I miss the wind in my hair
And sandals on my feet
I miss the rain
And the beach
I miss my dad
He died of covid
Almost a year
I miss you daddy
Do you see me over here?