Dear Dad,

Hey Mister,

I'm writing on behalf of me and my little sister,

We miss ya.

I swear next time we'll listen,

Please, Dad, don't leave us in this prison.

I wish I could be faster

Than these feelings I foster

Care to tell me how I can outrun this monster?

I'm lost, fighting to understand

Why you wouldn't take my hand

When they pulled me away.

Each night I pray

I'll see the day when you say

You're here to stay.

Oh, hey,

There's something you missed:

The first word from my little sis.

Please don't get mad,

But the first thing she said was, "Where is my dad?"

And I've got a question, while I have your ear,

What does it mean when someone calls you queer?

I think that's why you hit grandpa at Christmas last year.

Well, they call me that every single day here.

Aside from all that, things haven't been great,

I gotta say I really hate

Our once a week lunch dates.

I've got so much to tell you, so many things to ask,

But every time you go to leave I have to drop my mask.

I can no longer live with my lies;

Were you surprised to see tears in my eyes?

I love you, Dad, I could never despise

You, but I can't take another round of goodbyes.

By the way,

I wish it could be like the old days.

Back when you and Mommy were friends.

Why is it everything I'm a part of ends?

I don't mean to be rude, but I gotta ask about the bottle,

'Cause I stopped using one when I was a toddler.

Are you somehow hoping it will make things better?

If you drink away your pain, so you forget me, forget her?

We were your responsibility,

And now, as far as I can see,

Your kids, for a buzz, you traded—

Was it really so important you stay intoxicated?

In talks, frustrated, you're always meeting with your lawyer.

Remember when you used to read me "Tom Sawyer?"

Never mind, we'll never find

A way back to when you were kind.

Like I said before,

I can't take goodbye no more,

So this is the last one, I'm no longer your

Problem, your headache,

Your five-year-old mistake.

I'll pack up my things and go

Into the system,

But you should know,

Ten years from now, if someone asked if I missed him,

If I missed you,

I'd honestly have to ask, "Who?"

I'm sorry, Dad, that's the way it's gotta be,

'Cause you ain't living life the way it ought'a be

Lived. So for the last time, goodbye,

You can't say I didn't try.

But I'm tired, and I'm done.

I love you,

Signed,

Your Son