THE INVISIBLE FATHERS... WHO STAYED

Jan 12, 2008 - 10:59 AM PST

Forever forgotten, yet standing in plain sight. Look at me. IM HERE. Doing what i have to do for my family. WHO'S WATCHING? Nobody... nobody sees, nobody looks as usual, not knowing that their very dismissal of me is whats leading me to become a father astray. Am i wrong for wanting to be addressed as the father of my own kids? Am i wrong for being upset that i am looked down upon, as if i cant love my own children as much as a mother can? Why am i never asked the questions in the doctors offices? Wasn't i there? Didn't they see me? They stare past me like i'm a window screen, searching for someone who better fits the description of a person who is supposed to be the "more suitable parent", the mother. They conversate, she smiles and nods her head in agreement, i watch from the furthest deepest crevice in the darkest corner of the room where i immediately make friends with the spiders and cashew peanut that was dropped and never found. The conversation ends. I crawl to me feet, dust myself off and thank my new friends for the wonderful time i had and assure them that we will do it all again sometime. I rush off and join her side. "How'd you get so dirty"? she ask. "long story, ill tell you later", i reply. Later never comes. Forever forgotten, Yet standing in plain sight i sit and wait in agony for the appology of a mother, whom has no idea that she has done anything wrong. Should i have to remind her that i would like to be treated like the father that i am. Am i forever cursed to this cloak of invisibility? Who knows? I can't change the opinion of society. I cant put my life on a loud speaker for the world to hear. But i can wear this title and wear it proudly. Though i may be invisible to the world, i will always be seen as father by my children. So with that, here is my personal tribute to THE INVISIBLE FATHERS WHO STAYED. It's better to be invisible than not to be at all.