All I ever wanted was
For you to love me.
For you to not disappear
Every time something went wrong.

You think a phone call
Every couple of days would suffice.
Would make it like you
Didn’t leave. You’re wrong. Because

Even though hearing your voice
Is better than nothing
It’s not the same as
Seeing your face each morning.

Getting a hug as
I go to school.
Smiling as you tell me
To have a good day.

It sucks that you weren’t
There to walk me
To the bus on my
First day of kindergarten.

You weren’t there to
Check for monsters in the
Closet or under the bed.
To say it was safe.

You weren’t there to
Take pictures of me
And my friends before
My first high school dance.

You weren’t there to
Interrogate my first
Boyfriend. Making him feel
Awkward. Asking stupid questions.

You weren’t there for
Any of it. Not a
Single thing. And that’s
All I’d ever wanted.