He left when I was 11,
The last warm embrace so tender and comforting.
His voice so gentle yet stiff,
whispered a message I shall never forget.

I miss his strong laugh,
Thundering through the house,
Oh what I would do just to hear it one more time.
Instead
The somber sobs of my mother fill my ears in the dark of night.
No matter what I say or do she is always miserable.
I don’t think she has smiled since he left.
I don’t shed tears when she’s around,
She knows the truth,
I’m a daddy’s girl.

His picture will forever sit on my nightstand,
Next to my crisp, white bed, covered in thin frail sheets.
He used to tuck me in every night,
Tell me a bedtime story so detailed it was as if it was our last.
He would kiss me goodnight,
And I could feel the stubble of his beard brush against my face.
The room filled with the strong scent of his cologne,
As I slowly and suddily dozed into a deep slumber.

I don’t know if I will ever see him again,
But I thank God I aquired the time I did.
I pray for his return everyday,
I have waited for what feels like forever,
And I will continue to wait,
I will not surrender like my mom has.
His friendly personality and loving presence will never be forgotten.