There was a time when love
Would’ve mattered to me
When it came to us
When it came to building
A formidable family
Bringing up our kids
The right way
So they would never
Sway like rhythm
Of lone tall trees

But you were never around
To help raise your children
You left me here in secludedness
In this home we once called our own
You chose to walk away
From your responsibilities
As a father, had me working
And searching for a way
To make ends meet
For my kids and me

And when I attempted
To ask you for money
To help with the essential needs
Of our little ones, you overlooked
Everything I said
I was nothing to you
I was no more than
Dead leaves drifting
To far removed places
You didn’t stop to acknowledge
Your children, how they needed
Daily attention, clothes on their body
Shoes on their feet, food to eat

I was the woman who had
To step up and take control
Of things, provide a peace-loving
Environment for my young ones
I was the one who worked
Strenuous hours at my job
Laboring day and night
Nearly aweary, but trying
To remain weariless
Because I knew I had
To fulfill my role
As a mother and give
My boy and girls
All the love and happiness
They required

I wanted to be resentful of you
How you could neglect
Your flesh and blood
When you were supposed
To protect them
When you were supposed
To teach them the way
Provide to them your perception
Of life, demonstrate to them
On how to be strong
How to truly love each other

You may never change your ways
But I thought you needed
To know how I feel about
All of this, how it has been
On my mind every single day
So heartbreaking to believe
That it happened to me
That I had to stand strong
And do both motherly
And fatherly duties
Let my kids know that
I would always love them
That they never had to be
Concerned about anything
I was here for them
I wouldn’t run out on them

Someday, when they grow up
I know they will ask about you
They will want to know
Why you were never around
Why you couldn’t spend time
With them, why you never
Picked up the phone to call them
I hope when that day comes
You are reminded of when
I asked you to be a part
Of their life, that I was willing
To work things out with you
So we could raise our kids together
But you didn’t want any part of that