Watery-eyed,

A heavy chest,

The lonely feeling of you being gone.

 

I stare at your face through photos.

It is all I have left of you.

The other day I smelled sweat, dirt, and motor oil in the air.

It reminded me of you

After you would get home from a long day's work.

I remember you would throw your dirty clothes at me to be funny.

I would delicately untie the laces on your boots.

I would trim that weird skin on your toes,

that came from wearing your boots too long when you were in the military.

I would trim your ear hairs and your nose hairs.

I would pop the bumps on your back.

I would make your eggs the way you liked.

I would do your laundry the way you liked.

I would help you outside whenever you needed me to.

I would watch and take care of the kids whenever you said to, 

and whenever I didn't, I would be in trouble.

I would listen to what, and who, you did the night before.

I would listen to your marital issues.

 

The voices of Elvis Presley and Otis Redding give me visions of you.

It's almost as if I can hear you singing.

But I am slowly forgetting you.

Are you forgetting me?

Or do you remember everything I would do?

What do you think of me?

 

I miss being your daughter.

I wish I could still do it all for you