The Whisky Glass

Daddy, I’ve been calling to the wind,

I’ve been staring into black,

As if shouting through the darkness Could somehow bring you back.

But the wind won't carry answers,

And the night won't make them clear,

So I’m laying down the question

I’ve been carrying

for years.

Daddy, can you hear me?

I’m not calling anymore.

I spent half my life believing

You might walk back through the door.

I don't know why you couldn't love me,

Or why I couldn't make you proud,

But I know I couldn't be enough To make you turn around.

And I forgive you—

Not because you asked me to.

I forgive you for my own heart,

For the child who waited too.

I forgive you…

And I’m letting go.

There’s a whisky glass that knows you,

Knows the shape of every hand,

Knows the lines across your tired face

Better than I ever can.

It has swallowed all your secrets,

Held your tears and your confessions,

Heard the words you never gave me,

Held the weight of your regrets.

And maybe that old glass Was the closest thing you had To

someone who could listen

When the world became too sad.

Maybe you had your own ghosts,

Daddy, Maybe you were drowning too.

I won't pretend I know the reasons,

And I won't rewrite the truth.

I only know the little girl Who kept calling out your name

Didn't deserve to spend her childhood Thinking she was somehow to blame.

Daddy, can you hear me?

This is not another call.

I'm not standing at the window,

I'm not waiting anymore.

I don't know why you didn't love me,

I don't know why I wasn't proud—

But I won't spend my whole life Trying to figure your silence

out. So I forgive you—

Not because you asked me to.

I forgive you for my own heart,

And the child I carried through.

I forgive you…

Though I'll never understand.

I forgive you…

And I let go of your hand.

That whisky glass knows every line That time has drawn upon your

face. It's heard more tears and love and confessions Than I ever

had the chance to say.

So keep your silence,

Daddy. I'll finally let it be.

I don't know why you couldn't love me.

But I know now— It was never proof

that I was hard to love.

And I'm saying goodbye.

(Goodbye,

Daddy...) (Goodbye...)