Words for My Dad
By Teri Van Pelt
7-18-07
Sitting there in my dad’s ole’ pick up truck.
Feeling somewhat paralyzed, I felt stuck.
I possessed feelings for my dad I needed to convey.
Contemplating just what and how to say
I counted to three underneath my breath,
Felt like I was meeting death.
All at once, I let the words out.
But his reply was with a cursing shout.
“Why must you talk that way?”
“Love is something I don’t need to say.”
“I say I love you by the fact that you are fed.”
“Don’t you have a roof over your head?”
He sat there continuing to tear me a part.
I guess I should have kept the words “I love you” inside my heart.”