It’s Hard to Celebrate Father’s Day

It’s hard to celebrate Father’s Day
For a child whose father is away
Unavailable and disconnected
Showing no love
To a child he’s rejected.

His support checks don’t arrive
There’s no proof he’s alive
No proof he really cares
For just what does he share?
Not his heart—or his wallet
Such callousness
What do you call it?

He lends no listening ear
His abandonment makes it clear
That Father’s Day is not
A day to celebrate—
Just a day when
His child feels second-rate.

A day to feel sad
About rejection and loss
And don’t forget the high
Emotional cost
Paid each lonely day
In innumerable ways
By a child who doesn’t understand
Why there’s no father’s
Guiding hand.
While “Dad” gives no thought
For his
Child’s pain
Caused by
Wondering and grieving
Again and again.

It’s hard to celebrate Father’s Day
For a child whose father is away.  

(Written in Southern Pines, N.C., June 2004)