Her Father's Daughter

They say I have your sober eyes
Every time I smile
And carry your mettle spirit
Through every trial.
I am reminded of your calloused hands
Clinging to my mother’s waist,
And the many hours you spent
Placing food on dinner plates.
The creases along your crooked mouth
And softening of the hair
Are reminders of the dire years
We once had shared.
Bright blue eyes looking back at mine
Like we had our own secret club,
And I carried the world so well
Back when we were both so young.
Remember the way you spun me around,
And the wind would carry me through?
When time seemed to crawl and
Life had a better view.
They say that time heals all things,
But who shall be time’s friend
After all the years spent with you,
After all the things I never became?
Nineteen years, eight long months
Whirled by so fast;
Your shadow lingers beside me still,
A ghost from Christmas past.
In the living room once more
You’re sitting in your favorite chair,
Gazing out the window,
At the world without a care.
Sunken eyes looking back at mine
Like we had our own special club,
And I carried this world so well
Back when we were both so young.