You can overcome. You can overcome the darkest of nights and achieve the brightest of days
Poet Michael Ellis From the Book Summertimes and Monday Mournings
She was eighteen Graduation Day Valedictorian The Girl got Straight A’s Mother says, 'I’m proud of you. Your hard work is gonna pay. I know it's been a long road But you've carried your load." The girl looks over her shoulders And scans through the crowd In the back of the auditorium she sees her Father Who is just as proud. As the tassel falls from the air She recalls the secret they all share. The night he ruined her world The night she wasn’t Daddy’s Little girl. Ten Years Earlier] Daddy tiptoes past the Grandfather clock Through the kitchen past the icebox. There were ten steps to the room down the hall He didn’t see himself in the mirror on the wall Nor did he hear his conscience call. He turned the doorknob as quietly as he could With the door half opened there he stood He looked at the one he promised the world So Beautiful- So Peaceful- Daddy’s Little Girl ((The Clue)) She searched his wallet- the whole thing through Credit card receipts—his pockets too For a trace of the other woman Some kind of clue He had to leave at 3 am- Another emergency “When I get back honey, I’ll explain the urgency.” And sometimes you’re just a clue away Pictures on the mantle piece show sunny days. The wedding seemed like just yesterday. But over the house hover the clouds of gloom And it’s gonna rain real soon When you learn that the other woman Is in the other room. Mama’s Precious Pearl Daddy’s Little Girl Daddy closes the door and takes a step or two Convinced that Mama doesn’t have a clue He considers the consequence. What would happen if she knew? A night lights shines in the darkness- The color BLUE Father kneels on the side of her bed And awakens the child with a kiss on her head With one hand he strokes her hair With the other hand he touches her - there She tries to restrain his hand. He says, When you’re older you’ll understand.” She gave a fight But he was the stronger one And there in the night The wicked thing was done. She cried as quietly as she could As tears streamed from her face And twice that night--- she changed her pillow case Sometimes you stand on the edge of the world Just be strong Daddy’s Little Girl. Morning comes and Mama knocks on the door of the shower “Girl, You been in there two hours.” In the hamper Mama sees blood on the sheets Picks it up and smells the scent of her sweet. Mama opens up the shower door—shows her the blood stains The girls chokes on her words- Mother I just can’t explain “Babe, tell Mother what happened to you?” Mother’s eyes told her she already knew. Sometimes a heartbreak doesn’t give a referral No more Daddy’s Little Girl. Mother sits on the sofa and looks back At ten years of marriage How could she abort it now? Diagnosis: Miscarriage The clock stops at 5:23 and Father turns the key He opens the door "How are you my sweet?" Seeing her reach for the bloodied sheet “Babe, It’s just blood—This is outrageous You know these girls they go through stages. It could have been someone from her class I told you the girl was just too fast.” She is no longer your daughter and I am no longer your wife. Your bags are by the door Now get the Hell out of my life.” Barely bearing the weight of frustration: “You can explain at the Police Station.” Epilog When the pain is like a hurricane And it leaves your mind in a whirl What you gonna do without that man? The sun will shine again You still have Mama’s Little Girl.
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