Father, Do You Remember?

Let not time

make us forget

our past.

You I called 'father'

gave me nights full of

misery.

I was but a little boy,

innocent to the core,

but who knew no joy.

No wrongs unnoticed,

rights went unrewarded -

yet we seem to forget it.

No. We cannot.

We should not forget

the nights I sat up crying.

The days I ran from home

too weary to withstand

constant beatings with no cause.

But why?

I was but a little boy.

Ever remember that, Father?

I was innocent

though illegitimate.

I was a little angel.

Let not the sunups

and sundowns fool us

to forget that past.

Father, do you remember

all the hell you caused for me

though your throat never knew any drink?