Daddy: if Sylvia Plath had been a boy

Do not do what you always do,
do not remove your shoe.
Now I see your foot,
and the ladies are daring to breathe or Achoo.
 
Daddy I should kill you,
as I sit with mom,
at the play tonight.
Around me, I hear ick, ick, ick.
Some people have left,
I’d say a dozen or two.
 
Pretend you’re no relative,
I won’t even acknowledge you.
I have always been embarrassed by you,
hair slathered in gobblygoo,
argyle socks,
and your handkerchief bright blue.
 
Every boy adores women,
but mine run after you remove a boot.
How does mother even like you?
I was ten when I slid off you,
off your lap forever.

I don’t want back to you.
Perhaps when I’m older I’ll call,
a phone will do..
Daddy I’m through,
I’ve cut out all my root.
 
If I’ve lost one girl, I’ve lost two.
Mother said it was you,
and nagged you for a year,
seven years if you want to know.
 
Daddy you can wake up now,
the play is over
so have a heart.
The whole audience never liked you.
In their minds, they are dancing and stamping on you.
They all knew it was you.
Daddy, daddy put on your shoe.

-Terry Cunningham

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