Where did you go Dad, 

I walked in to someone new,

A new character,

He appeared in my story,

My story of life,

Featuring me and mommy,

And the rest who chose,

Chose to stay and be a part. 

I grew to know him,

The man who wanted to love,

Love Mommy and I,

His never ending support,

Unmatched affection,

And his constant effort to,

Please us and make us, 

Happier than you did dad.

Where did you go Dad,

I thought you were meant to stay,

Stick with me like glue,

Hold grasp of me until I could, 

Be there when I dried,

Became incapable to,

To help myself through.

Where did you go Dad,

Your intentions showed strongly,

You believed in leaving, 

Leaving behind mom and I, 

When you saw struggle,

You taught me to walk away,

When struggle presents itself,

I should not face it. 

Where did you go Dad,

When I needed you the most,

I became Mommy,

Strong enough to face failure, 

When it seemed unreal,

So I could better myself,

In ways you couldn’t.

You love like a sand timer,

A minute you seem to care,

And once it is over,

You seem to give up again.

You start to see who I am,

You talk about me,

You talk about me like I’m a trophy,

So people see prize,

Prize in you as a father,

Who they think you are.

You should have stayed Dad,

Your little girl is a tree,

Strong at her base,

The base she made for herself, 

Since you only planted seeds.

You should have stayed Dad,

You see the success I’ve had,

From the orange ball, 

To the checkered white and black, 

I did that myself.

You should have stayed Dad, 

Mom taught me how to get through,

Get through my failures,

Even when I can’t see past them.

You should have stayed Dad, 

While you left me for others,

He had open arms, 

Open wide to love Mommy,

And enough for me.

You should have stayed Dad,

I am someone you are not,

I did this myself,

I will continue to grow,

accept that Dad.

You should have stayed.