Raising yourselves in the dark shadows of your absent fathers,

Without guidance from him you still seek to overcome and shine.

Many have dismissed your unknown future and say why bother-

And Raising yourself without the help of an absentee father,

Is a bitter taste you struggle to take, hold in, and swallow.       

It is brought to your attention again and again, with lasting intent-

That the growing up of a child requires both mother, and father.

The hurt requires strength from the children growing old without-

The mention of those didn’t show, running a little late, or didn’t even bother-

To seek, make right, repair, or reconcile the child to the father.

It fuels the needed fire that burns within to engulf the memories,

And feelings of being young, wanting, in need of: but having no father.

Your father’s day card and gift was addressed to the unknown,

Sealed with the expectation that one day you would indeed:

Open it,

Read it,

Respond to it!

You will find an open invitation prompting you to simply show up-

At your child’s sixth, seventh, ninth, or sixteenth birthday party…

A tee-ball game, a teacher-parent conference day…

Or even on your special day, Father’s Day!

-by Orson Algernon Valley