Dear Dad,

This is a poem to my dad. It's everything I want to tell him but I never get the chance..

I am sure the liquor store knows your name
They must know it's you when your car pulls up
Even if you park six miles away.
They will forever know when you arrive.
Every weekend and almost daily,
You come back with the same red cans again.
I can't understand why you won't stop it.
Why can't I be enough to quit?
Has it become a lifestyle for you,
Instead of just a disgusting habit?
Why must you drown your liver all the time?
Why can't you just learn to smile with me
Without gulping down a 24-pack?
You slowed down because she threatened to leave.
I'm upset but too embarrassed to speak.
Who in their right mind wants their friends to know
The reason they cry is from the damned drink
That her father consumes almost daily!
You must think it's funny to make me mad
With your hurtful jokes and beer on your breath.
With every second my heart breaks in two.
How long do you think I can keep this up?
You don't seem to care about anything.
Emptiness cannot be cured by a drink.
I can't sit and watch you kill yourself.
Please don't get mad at me for noticing.
Why can't you see that I care about you?
I'm sorry, daddy, but I can't do this.
I can't watch you disappear from the drink.
I love you, but I have to go.....goodbye.

Author's Note

This poem took awhile to write and a lot of tears. This isn't a suicide poem.