Absentee Father

Father, where have you gone?
Your child is crying;
She needs your love;
And a warm hug;
Her arms are folded;
Her head is bowed;
She is kneeling;
In prayer beside her bed;
Pleading her case;
Begging for mercy;
She fumbles through pages;
They stick to her hands;
Reading your letters;
Through tear-stained eyes;
Heavily burdened;
With a cross she can't bear;
Looking for comfort;
Seeking reassurance;
All she sees is ink;
Written on thin pages;
Words run together;
Long ago you promised;
That you would never leave;
Yet here in this dark room;
You are nowhere to be found;
She is in pain;
She is in fear;
She is backed into a corner;
She puts the book away;
And turns out the light;
She takes a deep sigh;
Tonight she couldn't find you;
But tomorrow, she might.