FOR HER DAD

She came to know him way too late,
His death she did not anticipate.
They had loved and fought over trivial things,
She can still feel the touch of his protective wings.

Oh, now she wanted him to know,
How much she truly loved him so,
Don't go, don't go

And yet, while keeping watch at his bedside, she
Laughed and covered up her cries, and saw this
Gentle, loving man slowly slipping from her hands.

He was her hero, mentor, Dad, through love and hate
And fights they had, though words and thoughts that
Were never said,

I know you loved me, He said,
And will long after I am dead.