He was broken promises and lies
Bounced checks
The time I spent in jail before I was born
He was selfishness and irresponsibility
Denial
He was the captain of the ship he burnt
then abandoned in the open sea
He was the reason the kids on the playground taunted me
"You're a freak!
What's wrong with you?
What did you do?
You don't have a daddy!"
He was the blood streaming down my arm
The fire on my skin but there's no flame
No one cares, they all just move on
He was the reason for my stubbornness
I just wanted to prove them wrong
False hope
He was dimly lit, smoke filled rooms
Beer cans scattered around
Unappetizing TV dinners that didn't fill
Unpaid child support
and doing less than bare minimum
He was the "I'll come get you" but never show
Never ending excuses and silence
He was the angry letters I sent
His name was Resentment
He was the traitor taking sides with the enemy
The fight after court
and the final slamming of the phone
He was a reason I run from commitment
and why I don't trust men
He was a reason I need therapy
I'll forgive but I'll never forget
He was the funeral I don't regret
not attending
