Teach A Man To Fish. Poem by Dakota Ellerton

Waking from a dream that you've been in,
is such a cruel sleep.
You're no longer in my life,
in my reality.
You no longer exhist.
You were born into this world,
taught that you would someday leave it.
But it was too soon.
You've missed so much in your childrens lives,
when we needed you most you couldn't be there.
I shouldv'e taken care,
as you did.
But I was only fourteen Dad,
it was inevitable to rebel.
Still you loved me just the same,
and faught enough for both of us.
I was never mad at you,
but more so the life I'd been living.
Did I ever tell you,
you were my hero, my inspiration to go on?
You kept me safe from things Dad,
but you also sheltered me.
You kept cruelty from me,
until it washed upon me like a storm.
I am the youngest of your children,
the last one you helped create.
You spent the time to teach me,
the rights and wrongs of the world.
You've made alot of mistakes,
as any honest man can say he has.
But you were still a good, decent man.
If ever a problem,
you tried to be the solution.
You were the shoulder,
everyone wept on.
So whose shoulder do I cry on for you?
What ear do I whisper my thoughts in now?
You'd always try to talk to me,
you'd always try to listen.
We told each other everything,
there weren't any secrets left.
I swore I'd never tell,
and still I never will.
Do you remember some of the last weekends with you Dad?
Do you remember why I stopped going?
You were always under a spell,
and I couldn't bare to face that.
I'd text my boyfriend of the time,
telling him I was scared.
You never liked me texting, did you Dad.
You'd always have to know who it was.
I told you it was Nick, didn't I?
You would've always thought i was too young,
no matter what age.
What would you and mom really talk about?
Did she tell you she was worried for me?
Maybe I'd say the same about you.
I was worried Dad, and I was scared.
You were my biggest half as a child,
but you slipped away.
You forgot we had plans, and never showed up.
You'd go missing, and I'd get worried.
You would always be in the hospital.
Maybe I did take after you most.
Is that why they say I am ill?
I get my thoughts from you, Dad.
The way I think, breathe,
the way I feel.
It's all through your eyes.
What lessons did you really teach me?
Was each one a medaphor?
When we'd fish,
you taught me to feed myself for a lifetime.
You taught me to enjoy life,
and love the people in it.
You were my better half,
now you're the half that no longer exhists.