Fatherhood (A Poem for Father's Day)

Fatherhood is
a piggy back ride
of bear hug days
that ends too soon
in that longest walk,
with arms linked
down the aisle.

But know this,
little girl,
your father's door
remains unlocked
to you and those
you love,
and his arms
are always open.

Step wide
into the world,
little girl,
but don't forget
whose shoulders
set you high enough
to reach those
distant stars.