Why Growing up Fatherless Hurts More Than you Think | Poem
There have been many fatherless children growing up over the course of time whether it be by choice or other unfortunate circumstances.
How many fathers come back in their child’s lives? Well check out this poem of a young man reuniting with his father for the first time since he was a child.
‘Why Daddy? – Growing Up Fatherless’
Daddy daddy where have you been?
I haven’t seen you since I was the age of ten
You abandoned us when we needed you way back when
A lot has changed in my life since then
I’m 30 years old now and all grown up
I’m not a rapper but it’s amazing how I’ve blown up
Where were you when we were broken and needed money?
Oh yeah I remember, you were existent like the Easter bunny
Where were you when I was going to school looking real bummy?
Why did you leave ma with that lump in her tummy?
Oh yeah I know, that was my little brother
He never knew you left him with a husband-less mother
Daddy you know I loved and missed you like no other
I felt like those children on TV with Sally Struthers
Why did you leave us at Christmas time without any toys?
Why didn’t you ever talk to my sister about boys?
You never visited, sent us letters or placed a simple phone call
You never even taught us how to swing a bat or throw a ball
Where were you when I graduated from high school?
Man you never even came and visited any of my schools
Where were you during all of my brothers’ basketball games
Fcuk you, I wish I never had your last name
It’s a shame that my mother had to take your place
It amazes me how she managed to keep a smile upon her face
I never knew what it was like to go camping or fishing
But I always knew what it was like to go on wishing
Wishing at nights you could just come on home
Wishing I had a daddy to call my own
Wishing you hadn’t left us holding out our hands
Wishing you could have taught me how to be a man
For years you never cared, so why should I even bother
Bet you didn’t know you are now a grandfather
Now you know how much of this family you dissed
Instead of me, I’m going to tell you how much of this family you’ve missed
You missed the birth of your first grandson
You missed how my nephew came out so handsome
You missed your youngest sons first words and steps
You missed the many nights mom sat there and wept
You missed your daughters special night and you couldn’t give her away
Don’t worry yourself though, you already did give her away
I won’t go any further for I’m not the one who should regret
I may be able to forgive, but I can never ever forget
So daddy daddy how have you been?
Maybe so many years won’t go by before we all see you again
#peace
**This post was originally featured on one of our old websites, but we’re bringing it back for your reading pleasure.
Cortonio
My motto is, "Live, love and laugh". Check me out in the "Men Behind The Pen" section on OpinionatedMale.com.
7 Comments
hershykiss
I was just having a conversation about this the other day with a close friend of mine. Her father has only seen her once, and then moved away to another state, presumably to be with his “real family.” Never to be see or heard from again. She is now 29 and he has been out of her life for 27 years. Its a shame. I honestly feel like men back in the day (before the 90s) were more into this thing. Leaving their kids with no word. Now a days, men may not be with their children mothers, but they are there. Maybe for fear of child support, who knows.
Cortonio
yes it’s a shame. I couldn’t imagine any man would walk out on ay of his children knowing how much he’ll miss in regards to milestones and such. And now with this generation of men coming up, it’s sad indeed. You hear the term ‘baby daddy/babies father’ more than ever.
daydreamer82
I like the creativity of this poem how it starts of in the voice of a sad but curious little boy and then transitions to the pissed of young man call his father to accountability. Dope way to bring up a serious social issue. I definitely can relate. Now, what’s the solution?
Mr SoBo
“Now, what’s the solution?”
Good question. Check here for a start.
And also, WELCOME to the OM!!!
*rolls out red carpet*
Cortonio
Thanks and welcome to OM. I think the solution is for the men of this generation to instill values in our young boys, that’s easier said than done however. It’s a tough call. I can understand having a child very young and not being ready to be a father…no excuse or condoning but I guess I can understand. But I think having that father not there is why our young brothers are the way they are, I’m sure I might have touched on this in another article on here, yes it does bother me.
daydreamer82
Well my friend that is definitely the case for women. I was speaking with a gal pal of mine about the affects of growing up daddyless. It affects everything we do. How we date or don’t date, raise or don’t raise our children, our financial futures and well being or lack thereof. How we even relate to God or don’t. Man I could go on and on. I used to be apart of an underprivileged youth outreach program and we had the hardest time with the boys because even trying to get male volunteers to commit was a challenge. Yhe boys would ask if they were coming back. Getting women to participate in civic and non-profit events seems like it’s never hard. I guess the guys were like-not my kids, not my problem. Very sad. I think in the past even if a family lacked a father we still had the village. So there were at least good neighborhood men, extended fam, and male teachers. Things are definitely not the same.
Cortonio
You are right, I remember the “it takes a village to raise a child” notion, that isn’t to be. And the sad thing is, I see the daddy-less problems moreso with men of color. However, there are some women out there who don’t mind being baby mama’s because they ‘reap the benefits’ of what they get.