Thank You

Thank you for working

Hours on end

Thank you for leaving me

With a sitter to defend

Myself from the struggles

Of reality

Seriously, thank you

For letting me be

Alone in the classroom when

Parents volunteered

Really, thank you

for not being there

When school work became too much

And I wanted to cry

But you went to bed

And turned a blind eye.

Thank you for scolding me

When I earned a B

Trust me, I tried

Can't you see

That I did my best,

I tried so hard

See, I did good

Just read my report card

A praise from my teacher,

Isn't that great

Look, just look

Not even one assignment, late

You came home and sat

In front of the TV

I joked and begged, but

You didn’t look at me

Thank you for dismissing me

When you needed to “relax”

Maybe next time

I should ask

For an ounce of your attention

Just look at me

Could you not hear it

My endless plea

Thank you for being absent

When I needed your support

You taught me how to be there for myself,

My last resort

See I needed you first, but

You didn't come

So I played and wept

All by my lonesome

While the children around me

Held their parents by hand

I know, I know, you had work

I understand

I know you love me

I truly do

But your absence

Didn't have to continue

Throughout my childhood

And into highschool

I just wanted you to be there

Not your constant ridicule

Trust me, I'm okay

I developed just fine

Except, once in awhile

Thoughts cross my mind

I won't discuss them

You said their not real

The anxiety in my head,

The struggles I feel

Thank you for making loneliness

Comfortable for me

I swear I’m okay

Just let me be

Thank you for everything

I appreciate it all

Perhaps your absence was

The best gift, after all.