I remember sitting in your lap
As you watched TV
Wrapped in your arms,
I felt safe so nothing could harm me
I remember the Saturday afternoon rides
Down the Little Haiti streets
My head looking out the window
As I sat quietly in the backseat
I remember the make believe pool
You built for us when I was six
I remember you always finding something
In the house to fix
Obsessed and constantly grooming
That old beat up car
And always there to bandage
Every cut and scar
I remember you forcing us
To go to church every Sunday
And reminding us
Every night to pray
As I got older,
Our relationship fell apart
Your words and actions
Left bruises in my heart
So I stayed away
Believing I would
Forgive you one day
So many things
You didn’t do
But I can’t hold those things
Against you
I remember you calling me
A day after my birthday
Like it was all okay
But how could I be mad
Because you will always
Be my dad