Tell my father i never learned to take apart an engine.

i dismantled limbs instead.

Tell him i tried to watch the game but fell asleep.

i went to bat for him instead.

Tell him i scoffed at the neighbor who asked to play catch.

i tossed your heart around instead.

Tell him i dated a boy before i was married.

i kissed him hard instead.

Tell him i cannot tell a drill from a driver.

i needled Phillip into my skin instead.

Tell him i struggle with simple winsors.

i knotted ties around my doorknob instead.

Tell him i burned down the house building a fire.

i lit cigarettes instead.

Tell him i shake hands like a fish.

i shook margaritas instead.

Tell him i hate buckling my seat belt.

i risked diving through the glass instead

Tell him I refused to use training wheels on my bike.

i fell off time and time again instead.

Tell my father i always did my best to get to heaven.

he left me in the worst of hell instead.