I am the daughter of a selfish alcoholic.
I am the daughter that always makes the phone calls,
But never gets them in return.
The last person on my father’s mind.

You are the father that’s supposed to be there.
You are the father that should actually care.
Instead you’d rather have a beer in your hand,
And pretend your kids don’t exist.

I am the daughter that always forgives.
I am the daughter that’s always let down.
While I cry for your attention,
You seek another beer.

You are the father that would never listen.
You are the father that ruined the family.
The one that left us as though it wouldn’t hurt,
Just so you could drink anytime.

I am the daughter who has been ruined.
I am the daughter who is always ignored.
While putting all the effort in,
I just get pushed away.

You are the father who ignored.
You are the father who put me down,
When all I wanted to do was help,
And get you to realize how much I hurt.

I am the daughter that sees through yours lies.
I am the daughter who wants to guide you.
The daughter who’s worried about losing her dad,
Not having any special, sober memories.

You are the father who always tells lies.
You are the father who won’t accept advice.
The one that isn’t even concerned about your health,
Or making pleasant memories with your daughter.

I am the daughter who wants to stop trying.
I am the daughter who is sick of being lied to.
Though, I am the daughter that cares too much,
And just wants to know my father cares too.

You are the father who could care less if I didn’t try.
You are the father who has always made me cry.
You pull yourself away,
And I just want to know I’m loved.

I am the daughter who is scared every night.
I am the daughter who prays you’ll stop drinking.
The daughter you used to call your little girl.
The one that wishes you would change.

You are the father who never worries.
You are the father who will never stop drinking,
No matter what your kids say,
You’re too busy hunting down beer.

I am the daughter who wanted to believe.
I am the daughter who thought I could trust you again,
But was always proved wrong and let down.
So I’d get back up and try again.

You are the father I never truly knew.
You are the father who hid alcohol from us,
Putting beers in the garage walls,
Making me believe you could really change.

I was the daughter who fell for your lies.
Now I am the daughter who can’t trust anymore.
I never knew my dad,
And never understood why.

You are the father that would scream all night.
You are the father that wreaked all the time,
Of stale beer and cigarettes,
Guilt and dishonesty.

I am the daughter who cried every night.
I am the daughter who could always smell the booze.
My mind was stained of that smell.
And I figured out when you were lying.

You are the father who was arrested many times.
You are the father who never seemed to learn.
In and out, I could never keep up.
Knowing you had a baby on the way, and you still wouldn’t change.

I am the daughter who watched the cops take you away.
I am the daughter who begged for them to let you to stay,
Because I didn’t know what was happening,
And I actually cared if I lost you.

You are the father who would disappear.
You are the father I rarely heard from.
You’ve never been home for any of my birthdays,
Or to help me through hard times.

I am the daughter who prayed you’d come home.
I am the daughter who dreamt of a happy place.
My childhood was ruined, by you.
But it’s okay, because I made it to 16 and I’m still smiling.