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Daddy
You taught me to throw, taught me to catch,
taught
me to curse and taught me to lie,
taught
me to fight and how to have sex -
You taught me all you knew, taught me by example,
and
I learned it too well, -
I
became that example.
You had all of the advantages,
a
dumb giant looming over a little boy,
big
strong man that frightens children -
You had me pegged for a kid that would be too terrified to stop you,
and
you were right, -
I
was far too afraid.
I should have thrown the book at you, made you catch hell,
cussed
you out and told you I loved you,
beat
the shit out of you and fucked you as you cried -
I should have given you back everything you gave me, taught you how it
felt,
but
I learned it too well, -
and
I'm afraid to ever be like you.
Daddy, by Paul
Cales, © December
2001
(revised May 2003)