Running to Daddy

I’m sorry, Daddy.

The words come hard, almost a whimper.

I don’t want to see his eyes,

The look I know is waiting there.

Then the words fall.

Words I never want to hear,

But I earned them.

I’m disappointed in you.

I hang my head in shame.

Do you still love me? I ask.

What do you think? He says,

Tilting my chin in his hand

To look up into his soft eyes.

He holds my gaze for a moment,

While a glassy tear traces a line down my cheek.

It splashes on his finger

And I turn my head away.

I won’t let him see me cry.

He stands up tall.

I can feel his eyes on my back,

And I shrug to shake them off.

I will walk to my tree house,

To hide far away alone.

Every footstep beats the sound:

I made my daddy sad.

I shuffle my feet to make it stop.

Now the wind picks up the song,

Low and mournful like a sigh.

I made my daddy sad.

I’m not angry with you, He whispers.

I forgave you.

Tears well up again in my eyes,

And I don’t want to go away.

I brush my hair off my face,

And turn around to peek—

Daddy’s waiting,

His arms open wide,

For me.

I let him down.

Why is he still here?

A smile starts at my ears and grows big,

Making dimples in my chin.

Cause he loves me, always!

I throw back my head and laugh,

A big, giggly laugh,

Running to Daddy.

He wraps me in a hug

And we fit just right.

I love you for always, he whispers.

I know,

I say.