My Father's Daughter

Oct 10, 2008 - 11:15 AM PST

For so long, I tried to be the perfect person that you wanted me to be
I gave up things or didn’t do things that I thought you might disapprove of

but I was never good enough

I’ve taken your hatred of men
and made it mine

I hated it when I was told I was like my namesake
Each time I was told those words, it was like a knife being thrust into my heart, and then turned…slowly
add salt and that was how I felt
I’ve tried to be everything that the other’s that left your womb weren’t

then I woke up
and realized that it wasn’t me
but you

That name that YOU claimed
That name that YOU put so much blame
That name that YOU disdain
I now hold with pride

I realize that that name has a lot of respect, honor and power
I understand, now, why I was not allowed around that name
that name would have claimed you as their own, but you wanted no part of it
you’ve tried to keep me away from my name
but you were unsuccessful

I don’t blame you or hate you
I pity you

I now claim, with pride, that which is mine and I hold my head up high

for I am MY FATHER’S DAUGHTER