THE OUTLINE

by Carmen Scott

there's an outline near my daughter 
where a father should be. 

And the shape walking with me
Of what if's and what be.

And the tight grip of guilt's hug
As I crawl into bed

Fear for the future 
claws at my head.

And insomnia guides me
To a place that's unkind

In the waking of hindsight 
I am praying from blind. 

Will she love me or hate me
For the choice that he made.

Or she sharp cut of betrayal 
On the babe he betrayed 

I shall doubly love her
I shall doubly strive

To be honest and shape her
And not to contrive

I will fill up her world 
So that all she can see

Is how much I do love her
And all she can be 

So the outline beside her
That's traced round my heart

Disappears.