Daddy Who Were You

Daddy, I try to keep the memory of your sound.

Sometimes at night, I repeat it all out loud.

These words and melodies are imprinted in my mind.

Of a hero I made up - a hero I could always find

But Daddy who were you?

And the lights are down, and you're speaking so softly,

I'm your happy child content with whatever you give me.

These crumbs of words, from a lifetime of absence

These slow dark speeches, some kind of recompense

But Daddy who were you?

I'm so small in your nearness though I'm a woman grown.

I'm tucked into your voice a nearness we'd never known.

I'm watching your face and it seems like a wonder.

We've only known storms, storms anger, and thunder.

But Daddy who were you?