Dad Poem by Jennifer Petty

I hate that you drank
That my memories are
Filled with
Stumbling and alcohol breath

That holidays were ruined,
That you never talked to me
I wasn’t even important enough
For you to interrupt your TV shows.

The way you always
Used 1 dropp of breath spray
Before going to work

But I didn’t realize what
I was doing
I didn’t mean to hurt you
That badly
Or maybe I did –
Regardless

I wish I hadn’t
I’m so sorry
And now it’s too late