You came into our lives with open arms,
A decision made to be the father figure,
Taught me to ride a bike, fixed scraped palms,
Your presence felt so solid, seemed to linger.

For twelve whole years, you played the perfect part,
Family dinners, homework help, and pride,
I never thought you'd tear it all apart,
Until the day you chose the other side.

How could you turn your back so easily?
The same hands that braided my hair tight,
Weave a web of betrayal free now,
With her - my stepbrother's child's mother - in spite
Of the promises one made to all of us,
The family one said was held dear.
Now Mom's heart breaks, and mine's turned to dust,
You drift between them, year after year.
I learned that fathers are not made by choice alone,
But by the strength to stay when times grow hard.
You taught me more than you'll ever know -
How to deal a man the cruellest card.

Now when I see you with her, I just smile,
At how you've wasted these precious years.
The part you played - just pictures,
And Mom still wipes her midnight tears.

I wonder if you ever really cared,
Or if we were just some scenery,
In your make-believe play, you shared
Our stage until age eighteen.

Some dads are made, and some dads break,
You chose to do both, one after the other.
But I'm stronger now for your mistake,
Standing tall beside my mother.