Dear Daddy

Dear Daddy

Dear Daddy,

I don't know where to begin

My thanks giving to you

To the man who taught me

What a man in his making should be

Before bell hooks and Audre

The biggest feminist I knew

Was you

You taught me how I should be treated

By the way you gave

Respect to my mother

And were true in the way you loved her

In our household the womyn outnumbered you

But you held your place

And held us tight

Right next to you

I remember seeing you

Cry for my mother

When she was in need

Tears of loving

The same tears you cried

That were also my sister's and mine

They flooded through you with pride

When we accomplished

All you told us we could

With hard work and determination

We learned from your example and teaching

Always reaching

For our dreams past any limitations

Even when I was a little girl

You used to lift me

On your shoulders so I could

Touch the sun

On top of the world

Never fearing falling

Because your hands held tightly

Kept me balanced and secure

Because of you, climbing heights

Became so natural

My laugh began in your belly

And creases that smiled

on the sides of your eyes

Eventually I would grow

With time they would show

A lifetime of happiness like you

Daddy's little girl to this day

You frighten all my fears away

By teaching me to believe

In my own power

In my smarts

In my honesty

And my goodness

That all come from you

So thank you

For making me

Your Pride and Joy

I feel humbled to have you

Hold me in your light in the way you do

I love you.