Why must you be a mere man when others can boast of heroes?
I wish I loved you. I really do.

I hate you for not being the man I want you to be.
I hate me for wanting you to be someone that you've never been.

Arms out stretched and I laugh at the absurdity.
I'm not a little girl anymore.
I was never your little girl.

Big boys don't cry, yet your tears fall unchecked.
Cracks show on the heart you wear so comfortably on your sleeve,
And all I want to do is shield you from your tormentors,
Even as I stand amongst them.

And I wish I loved you.
Loved you the way you didn't love me then.
Love you the way you try so hard to love me now.

Daddy,
I wish I loved you.
I really do.