FATHERS

When I say father, I don't mean to say 'dad', but the man that first saw me at birth and loved me immediately

I do not mean some man that married my mother and calls her his wife, I mean a fireproof place I can run into while the world burns

I mean someone who can hear me from the distance, and hold me together when my world is falling apart

I mean someone that cared about my studies, and taught me physics while still in high school.

I mean I get a warm embrace, have my long, black hair stroked, and get some assurance.

I mean the first man I grew to love so much, and who gave me so much love inside, before letting me out to the world.

I mean someone who acted like mom, just so she could get a college degree

I don't mean a name, or a title

I mean a man who knows I love grey more than many solid colors, who remembers to gift me dandelions on valentine's day, rather than red roses or yellow lilies. 

I mean someone I wish to have walks down endless trails with

Someone I wish to occupy the dance floor with and gracefully follow the beats of a neverending song

I mean love, leadership, provision, sacrifice, tutelage, friendship

I mean a voice that says: 'the storm will pass, the famine will end, the rains will water again, life will be good'.