You Bring Out the Worst in Me

Daddy,
you bring out the worst in me.
When did I become so mean?
I don’t even recognize it
until I’ve gone away
and can’t do much
about it.

Daddy,
even when I think we’re okay,
it comes out-like slippery worms,
at your friends,
at your neighbors,
all the dirt
you didn’t tell.

I want to say
I’m sorry.

Daddy,
please don’t complicate it,
with ‘I’m just busy,’
or the vague roads
of divorce and drama.
It is what it is.
Nothing else.

Daddy…
I don’t like you.
And I’m sorry
I don’t yet know
how to
control it.