My Father and My Dad

Across the hall they argue, fight

Here I cover my eyes, my ears

Try to cancel out the fears

With the shadows from my nightlight

********

Mom, Dad, please just stop I pray

Don’t yell, don’t huff, don’t argue

Please let a smile greet my view

No, .. still crying, still nothing good to say

*********

Mom peeps her head in after a while

Thumbs my sad tear streaked eyes

Brushes my forehead, releases a sigh

Sorry your night is going so vile

********

In the morning Mom packs

We’re leaving she says with a wan grin

Checking her wallet, contents thin

Still, it’s more than money she lacks

********

Sorry hon, we haven’t been good for a long time

Dad and I need to be apart for now

We need to learn not to pressure to bow

We’ll be okay with your silver Eisenhower dime

********

In the new place I miss my father

But mom smiles more and loves me harder

She takes extra shifts to fill the larder

But my grin she claims is worth the bother

*******

She met a new man, bearded, thin, but nice

She seems happy, but he’s not my dad

I try to grin, despite that I’m still sad

At least he lets me keep chickens, dogs, pet mice

********

Dad called, says he won’t be replaced

Well, he’ll always be my dad I guess

But I like mom’s new guy I confess

Mom now wears dresses, blouses, and things laced

********

Dad came by yesterday, mom is not smiling

He yelled, fussed, screamed, and left

Is it that of which my life is bereft?

Nope, my new dad real love keeps piling

********

Mom and Brandon are getting married

He asked me if it was okay

Though it doesn’t matter what I say

He says my feelings mustn’t be buried

********

Mom and dad are across the hall

I can hear them fairly well

I now know this is heaven as that was hell

Laughs, love, happiness radiates through the wall

********

Mommy and Daddy, thus I know for sure …

This is so much better than before

I love you both each day more

Happiness is not just a hooked lure

********

As for my father, I still care

Though he isn’t really around

His grating complaints not my daily sound

I see him occasionally, when I dare

********

Then I return HOME where I belong

To Mommy Amanda, Daddy Brandon, Thorsen, Killian

Soon to be baby sister Leyliana, hopefully not a villain

Here, a real family, we sing a happier song

********

Now each night I thank the lord instead of revile

He brought me a Daddy, a father, a blessing

One who knows that play and laughter isn’t messing

Thank you Dad for going that extra inch, that farthest mile