Well after my visit, I went back
Home and as usual we began
Moving around from town to
Town.
Schools had rules and I had to
Relearn each one.
I got into trouble Daddy, when
I came back, I started chasing
Around, doing stupid things
That you can only do in a mining
Town, with gambling, bars and
Fights.
Those evil men did things to me
That were not right.
Many times I was up all night,
Often there was no food. Sometimes
If I was lucky a can of Dinty Moore
Stew would do.
I’m so glad you didn’t know this,
Your heart would have been broken
In two for all your child went
Through.
But I wouldn’t be honest if I denied
My anger. Where were you when
I needed protection from danger?
But Daddy, you would have been
Proud of me, I learned to survive,
It is amazing what children can do
When they try.
I tried many things to protect myself.
They were not the smart thing to
Do, but it was all I knew.
I developed a set of rules to deal
With the craziness of things.
I somehow got through the years
But there were many tears.
I had difficulties with Mama. She
Was unbearable to live with and
I wanted out of the trauma.
She kept going into those
Buildings with flashing lights for
Hours. I stared in the windows
Waiting for her to come out, but
She would never
Win those games she played,
Even though she would go every
Day.
I thought the way was to get
Married at sixteen, and before you
Knew it I had two children, living in
A mining town.
But I knew in my heart I would
Never raise them like me.
Well, this is pretty long and you have
Bent your ear to hear this story.
You know Daddy, I really
Appreciate you listening now, since
You didn’t hear or see me when I
Was a child.
Oh, and one thing I forgot to mention,
There will be mistakes in these
Letters, since they are written from
A little girl’s heart, even though I’m
A grown up now.
I know you loved me Daddy, you just
Didn’t know what to do, your illness
Kept us apart.
Well I will visit you again soon, I have
Much more to say to you!
