The Evolution of Dad
it starts with dada.
hands rising, reaching for arms that cuddle you
till you fall asleep.
daddy.
the one who plays baseball and watches movies with you,
despite how stupid they might be.
watches you go through weird phases,
but thinks you’re beautiful
no matter what.
dad.
week after week
you find yourself arguing with him
acting like a pain in the-
but him always being the one who apologizes
first,
and tells you he loves you.
but you’re too stubborn to say it back,
though you've said it to yourself since birth.
father.
one to depend on, from school, to boy problems
being there for me through thick and thin.
three stages complete, and many more to go.