Danielle N. Calhoun

WHAT IS IT…?

Dad,

I know after 30 years of my life
you probably feel I should be happy
and on my own,
but sometimes things happen
and there is a time
when a daughter needs her father
more than ever before.

I want to be happy like my little brother
I want to be married and have someone
to love.

But all that I have is my 4 year old son.
I could be busy and act like my sister:
Never come over, never call, never email
But I can’t do that, I’m not like her.
I’m just a person with limits and sometimes
it really hurts me when I feel like
no-one really cares.

I know that you love me
I know that you care.
What will it take
to make you understand?
The way you act
the way you talk
the way you sound
make me want to choke
on the tears that I cry
as this note I write

What is it about me
that doesn’t seem right?
Do I seem lazy?
Do I seem like a drama queen?
Dad, can’t you see
I have tried everything?
I pleased my mother
and others in this family
but you have to tell me
one thing:
What will it take,
to please you dad?