Father Figure Poem by mariena soares

Who is this stranger
who knocks hesitantly
upon the screen door
outside my house.
He glances at his watch
anxiously
it is precisely six o' clock
As it is every week

Who is this man
who sits across the table
At a local family dinner
He glances at his watch again
he says we must hurry
As he does every week

Who is this image
before my eyes
who looks so much like me
i am careful of what I say
not really sure why
His opinion should not matter
but it does
As it does every week

Who is this seemingly
ubcaring soul
who stumbles over his words
uncomfortably
Then attacks mine
in the next breath
And thinks that
he has the right
to do so
As he does every week

Who is this child in the mirror
A teenager whose eyes
usually shine
with the confidence of
innocence
but now glance about
unsure of anything
especially
her father's love
A child divorce
and contemplating why
after he drops her off
as she silently cries
As she does every week