Do You Remember, Daddy? Poem by Jim Butler

You were never there
Throughout all my life,
It’s so hard to deal
With all of this strife.

Just to know
That you don’t care,
Is enough to believe
That I’ll never be good enough.

Do you remember, Daddy?
When you left one woman
To raise five kids herself?

Do you remember, Daddy?
When you didn’t show,
I rode my bike
Up and down the road.

For four hours straight,
I waited for you,
But you were far too late,
You didn’t come through.

Do you remember, Daddy?
When you brought a surprise,
Hiroko, a woman
You said is your wife.

Do you remember, Daddy?
When I FINALLY played for you,
The piano last spring,
I was so nervous too.

My very last chance
To see you be proud.
And all that you said,
Was scoot out of the way,
Let your wife play instead.

I don’t know who you are,
You don’t see me at all,
I’ve gotten so used to it,
But it hurts you don’t call.

Yet through all this pain,
And all of this strife,
I thank God every day
For such a wonderful life.