Monday 1 June 2015

A Father's Lament

Once I had a daughter
   Young, loyal and true,
Now I have a stranger;
   How about you?

A toddler blithely conscious
   Of what’s to see and do,
She beelined for her father;
   How about you?

Later, faring widely
   For seascapes freshly new,
My hand was her anchor;
   How about you?

A pre-teen at shipwreck,
   Cheeks dusted with rue,
She sought the hand of another;
   How about you?

Now the years wander, 
   She keeps a distant view,
Deflecting hand and letter;
   How about you?

Once I had a daughter
   Bright with a child’s hue,  
Now there’s only anger; 
   How about you?

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© July 2013