If I could go back in time

If I could go back in time 

I'd meet my father as a child 

I'd take him into my arms

And tell him that they were wrong

That it's okay to cry, it's okay to feel

I'd play ball with him 

Tell him that life is beautiful between the arms

of those who love you

I'd walk him to school and give him a goodbye kiss

and when he fails in math 

I'd buy him ice cream 

and remind him of how proud I am of him 

I'd watch the warmth of his smile 

I'd tell him that he is worthy

That he doesn't have to go to war to prove his value 

He tells me he's hurt, that the world is a bad place

So I show him what it feels like to lean on a safe shoulder 

I wish he was able to feel that as a child 

I wish he felt safe

I wish he felt seen

Could that have changed anything?