Daddy's Girl

An Elegy in Two Voices

Do I have to wear a jacket today, daddy?

Is the neverending night over now?
Is it spring's turn at last?

Can I take off my shoes, daddy?

I want my skin bare against the grass.
My feet curling into the thawing soil.
My toes befriending the earthworms.

---

Could you hold my hand, daddy?
You keep my footing steady.
You always know the way.

Can you tell me a story, daddy?
The one where the princess 
finds her promised prince.

Where they live in a black stone tower
beside the field of lillies and daffodils.

Where a gentle kiss sets her free, 
yet she chooses to slumber, 
to keep dreaming of his lips. 

---

I knew one morning you’d leave.
I knew we'd part with a kiss.
I knew we’d only meet again
in the far reaches of my dreams.

That morning I felt your fever
turn to frozen needles in my neck.

I thought I watched your chest
rise and fall.

But that wasn’t you.

I looked in the mirror.

That wasn’t me either.

---

I never meant to leave, daddy.

I miss your fairytales.

It’s too far away
to hear your voice
even though I'm hiding
inside each of them.

I’ll always be your little girl,

even though I forgot 
the way home. 

That morning you dressed me
so beautifully, daddy.

Yellow rain boots.
Mismatched socks.
A sunflower dress.
Pockets full
of painted stones.

Although neither of us
was really there
anymore.

---

It’s alright, little thief.

I gave you everything,
yet you still managed
to steal something from me.

Suddenly.
Mercilessly.
Too early.

Yourself.

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