When He Left

I was about 9 years old when my dad left
No last words, just shut doors with no return.
He left my mom being a single parent with two boys
I thought we were a happy family, what happened?
Months passed by, my mother struggled
I felt I had to do something to help.
I help out with the house and with my little brother
Black families usually don't stay together
I thought it was a myth, now I see it is the truth
There was days when my brother looked for his father
In the end all he got was mom's open arms
Things really didn't affect me until a year and a half later.
I was picked to write a speech for my 5th grade promotion
After reading the speech everyone appalled me and my mother
I looked for the site of my father, he was nowhere to be found
How could he be a no show?
I got home I began to cry and weep myself to sleep
I grew stronger from this experience
I realized all I had was my mother and brother.
Something unexpected happened three and a half years later.
My father returned
He presented two more kids and a white woman
Am I suppose to let this fly
I accepted the changes and forgave him for my pain
My little brother dropped tears that looked like rain
It was comfort from all his pain
I realized that women are strong, men are weak
I don't want my kids to go through what I went through
Only having a woman's hand to give thanks to
I will always be there not letting a moment slip away
This is why I am the strong person that I am today.