Training Wheels

 I was four when I learned to ride my own bike

My daddy held the back as I went.

I was scared, and looked down at the wobbling tire

Thinking of all that this meant.

"I'm grown up!" I thought to myself, looking up and ahead

"I've been waiting for this for so many years...."

And for a moment those thoughts were all that I heard

I no longer had any fear.

"I'm not a little girl anymore!" I said aloud to my dad, looking back as my face began to glow.

"You'll always be my little girl" he said as he looked back at me

and with that my daddy let go.

Years passed by and I grew up

it seemed our relationship withered.

I couldn't understand him, he wouldn't understand me

what we used to have was never considered.

I was sixteen when I was interviewed for my very first job

my daddy drove me there in his car. 

We fought on the way but when I stood up and got out

he didn't let me get very far. 

He grabbed my hand and looked in my eyes 

but why I didn't really know.

"You'll always be my little girl." He said, sadly smiling.

And with that my daddy let go.