my father always tells me
"Red, if you weren't so gosh darned picky,
you'd be having babies by now."

my father always tells me
"Red, why not just try
this one? why not just
say ok? just this
one time
go for
ice cream
with him
he likes you...
just
try
this one
time."

my father always says
"Red, honey,
you don't have to be so skittish.
not everyone leaves
some people
stay
don't let your mother
take away
everything
from you."

my father always says
"just try
just try
just try
maybe it'll be fine
you'll be alright
you can't live your life
in fear."

i always say...
"Daddy,
it is the people you love
that hurt you
and one more scar
might do
me in
daddy,
i love you
but i won't
love
mommy taught me
not to."