For My Children

I wait, but impatiently

I pace, neurotically

I listen, only for two words

I walk, on eggshells night and day

It is no fault of hers

I worry but I don’t tell

The words come one great day

I race, fanatically

I drive, recklessly

I stutter, incoherently

It is no fault of hers

I worry, but I don’t tell

I comfort, she cries

I cry inside, take her pain

I wobble, but stand tall

I hold, but wish to crumble

It is no fault of hers

I worry, but I don’t tell

I smile, hold you tight

I praise, show to the world

I kiss, ever so gently

I pray, always for you

It is no fault of yours

I worry, but I don’t tell

I watch, stand by your crib

I play, make odd sounds

I laugh, you make sounds

I wonder, every day

It is no fault of yours

I worry, but I don’t tell

I give, you go to school

I seek, you giggle and hide

I read, keeping monsters at bay

I watch, remembering each day

You grow, learn so much

You cry, they hurt you again

You laugh, school was fun

You scream, life’s not fair

It is no fault of yours

I still worry, but I don’t tell

You dress up, prom is near

You fret, grades are hard

You wish, friends were true

You cry, life hurt you again

It is no fault of yours

I worry always, but still don’t tell

You finish, graduation complete

You pack, college bound you go

You sigh, home now behind you

You cry, you are on your own

I watch, I wait,

I pace, I laugh,

I wonder, I cry

But most of all,

I am; still here

I am; a dad

You are; never alone

I worry, everyday,

 But hush I don’t tell.