daddy
i am sorry
i want to come home
get out of the cold
sit by the fire
be forgiven
loved & cherished  

i never stopped
loving you
even though
i turned away

i was a fool
to have doubted you
your wisdom
was wise

my teenage arrogance
obscene
insane
thinking you were
old & stupid

i’ve grown
matured
become a woman
realized
you’re my hero
and guiding star

you sacrificed it all
your dreams & desires
so i could have chance
to hope & dream

you worked
long
hard hours
like a mule
in a job
you hated

you were absent
from my life
when i needed you most
coming of age
girl child to woman

i didn’t understand
you were being a man
providing
protecting
putting food on the table
presents under the tree
buying me
a barbie

you’re a hero
unsung
unseen
taken for granted

i see it now
your glory
unfolding
like a sun
rising

without you
i couldn’t be
you are the shoulders
i stand on

how blind i was
as a child & teen

daddy
pappa
honored father

how do i express
the gratitude
for all
that you have done

how do i tell you
the love
i have and feel
for you

daddy
thank you for being there

love
your little girl forever