[Child of God]: 416.Poetry.Daddy Dearest

At least this way
You’re not so rough.
And, my imagination’s good enough
That at those times
You aren’t really you at all.
Your face becomes softer,
Gentler and less familiar.
Your voice becomes richer
And full of emotion.
Your touch isn’t as rough
And your fingers loose their calluses.
The bitter yeast smell seeping from you
Transforms into a deep, sweet cologne
And your chipped, crooked, yellow teeth
Straighten and whiten.
Rather than curses and grunts
It’s sweet nothings
You whisper in my ear.
So long as my imagination can transform you
I can bear it.
I can even pretend to enjoy it.
The pain dulls, but never really goes away.
That’s ok though,
After all these years I’m used to it.
After all, that’s what arms
And long sleeves are for.
I rarely cry or beg anymore
Aren’t you happy about that?
I know how much you hated that,
And why should I anyway?
So long as you aren’t my father while it’s happening
It isn’t wrong.