Dear dad...

     I'm writing to tell you, things are hard,

but I don't hate you.

     My life, well it hasn't been easy.

All of your fearfulness, and the courage you don't have,

     has given me the strength to keep on going.

I will never break like you did.

     My wall will stay strong and never crack.

Each and every day, I put on a mask,

     one that i'd rather not wear,

it makes people think that I am happy.

     I may be strong, but deep down,

I'm dying...

     Maybe this is the life I was supposed to live,

supposed to be miserable

     and living in fear and despair.

You are never going to kill me.

     I will not hate you, but you are not loved by me.

To me, you're just a statistic.

     Just one of the many fathers who have deserted their lives.

I don't care about you, like you don't care about me.

     My life is mine to live, no one will control it.

Even though I wear a mask,

     On the inside...I'm me.

Signed, a nobody.