Left Behind (Wihtout A Father) Poem by Tina Dang

I'm someone's daughter.
Who just doesn't know her father.
If you are wondering about me, I grew up just fine.
But I can't stop thinking about why you had left me behind.

What is it like to have a dad?
That's one relationship I wish I had.
When i was younger i'd sit around and wait.
Hoping for a card or present from you on my birth date(s) .
There's no relationship here to salvage or recreate.
No such thing as father and daughter bond between you and I, it's way too late.

I can recall everynight that I cried myself to bed and wept.
How come you didn't want me?
But you have other children that you have raised up and kept.
I can't believe after so many years i'm still sad and upset.
Over an unresponsible, unreliable man who's suppose to be my dad, a person i've never met.
In a way i'm thankful and grateful that you had left Mom and me.
If you hadn't, i wouldn't have grown up to the person that i turned out to be.

All I ever wanted was to be daddy's lil girl and make you proud of me.
But you weren't there when i needed you, Mom went through with me bout the birds and the bees.
I guess it didn't work out between you and Mom, because you CHEATED nothing last or is ever meant to be.
You weren't there at my graduation and you won't be the one to walk me down the aisle at my wedding, these are pictures of events which you'll never get to see.

When I have kids of my own, i'd love them with all my heart there's nothing i wouldn't give.
I'll never be the way you were with them, when you had me that's something i'll swear by as long as I live.
Unlike you i keep my promises to my every word.
Now I live for myself and am moving on with my life, moving forward.