Never There

You weren't there when

I learned to tie my shoes

To laugh when I was happy

Or to help me sing the blues.

You weren't there when

I learned to ride a bike

To help me hold the string

When I learned to fly a kite.

You weren't there for me

When I would trip and fall

When I ran around with boys

And learned to catch a ball.

You weren't there when

My "woman-hood cycle" began

When I got too old for dolls

And too old to play in sand.

You weren't there when

Times were good or bad

And thinking back on it now

Only makes me mad.

You weren't there when

I got pregnant with a baby

When I grew up too fast

And was forced to become a lady.

You weren't there when

I needed to be daddy's little girl

To be bounced on your knee

And told that I was your world.

You weren't there for me then

I need not know why or how.

But what I want most of all

Is for you to be here now.