Unspoken confessions

Dad, if you know how tired I am
will you be kinder to me?
will you hug me tighter?

Dad, if only you know that I search for you in the faces of strange men 
will you love me harder?
will you spend time caressing my wounds?

Dad, if only you know the depth of the scars you leave in my heart 
will you gather my broken bones and mend them with tenderness?
will you care to ask if I am okay?

Dad, if you know how lonely the nights can get
will you kiss my forehead?
will you sing me a lullaby and whisper to me that I am safe with you?

Dad, if I told you that I need you 
will you wrap me in the warmth of your arms?
just for one night
until I can figure out what to do with this pain?

Dad, a big part of you died at war
Did you really come back?
they stripped your skin off your bones 
They killed you 
But you never knew that they killed me too.