"my daddy left"

"my daddy left"
he left for good.
why is she hurt?
she knew he would.

she had hoped for a change
that he would realize what he had
maybe a new start,
maybe things wouldnt be so bad

but this time he was gone for real
& there was no going back
she remembered seeing him kneel
& bend down to pack

he left them all
his daughters & his son
leaving his wife to bawl,
in arm, a child of one

she, almost 16 years old,
became the strength of her home
the father of the household
doing her job alone

she had moments of anguish
where life seemed unleashed
by now all hope had vanquished
& there was minimum relief

she dreaded going to sleep
for fear of the next day
her wounds were too deep
as her nightmares were there to stay

would he ever come home?
would it ever be the same?
undeserving of his title,.
"daddy" & "father" were stripped from his name.