Shhh! Daddy’s (Not) Here
A Poem by Jenni Bailey
She’s crying for you to stay home
Behind that closed screen door
She knows work is important, so is her fear of feeling alone
Shhh! Daddy’s (not) here!
She wants your hugs to keep her calm and warm
Because her eyes see that she’s unsafe
She knows work is important, so is the reason why she’s torn
Shhh! Daddy’s (not) here!
She did something today”
Go sit down at the table and eat that!”
She knows work is important, so is the reason why the cereal wasn’t thrown away
Shhh! Daddy’s (not) here!
She lost control during her school van ride
A student is now, unrecognizable
She knows work is important, so is her reason why innocent emotions collide
Shhh! Daddy’s (not) here!
I need you, but you’re not here…again
Fight the war that needs you!
I’m the troop, your daughter, screaming for you to ”have my back”
”I’ve been fighting this war, alone since maybe, ten!