Patience for a Parent

Dear Stranger,

I am waiting for a warm embrace,

And I am waiting

For you to try.

And I am waiting

For you to wake up and miss me,

Or at least realize I’m gone.

And I am waiting

For a date

To the Daddy Daughter Dance.

And I am waiting

For you not to compare me

To who you see in the mirror --

Or who you wish to see.

And I am waiting

For you to repay me

For all the tears I’ve spent on you.

And I am waiting

For you to stare down a boy

To protect me.

And I am waiting

For you to say you’re proud.

Just once.

And I am perpetually awaiting

A father’s love.

I am waiting for you to care

About me,

And I am waiting for a man

To replace the beast before me.

And I am waiting

For you to fix my car

And the creek in the steps.

And I am waiting

For a smile,

Or even a smirk,

To escape your solemness.

And I am waiting

For you to look beyond yourself,

And see me!

And I am waiting

To be important --

Or at least more important

Than the trail of women behind you.

And I am waiting

For you to wait for me.

And I am perpetually awaiting

A father’s love.