Dear Dad

Father, oh, father can't you see what you've done. Your hate has destroyed the lives of everyone. You treated us bad and cheated on our mom. Your temper was like trying to disarm a bomb. Everyone said what they thought you wanted to hear. Why you were always so angry was never very clear. When I was four I saw you throw an ashtray at mom's head. That was the day I new you didn't care if we were all dead. I had to live with that knowledge my entire life. It was clear you never should have had kids and a wife. Once I was surrounded by a gang of street thugs. Terrified, I talked my way out without throwing a slug. You were watching in disgust from across the street. You couldn't wait to get me home to begin your browbeat. Instead of being happy that I didn't have to fight, You made me feel worthless, chicken, and anything but alright. As strange as it sounds I'd like to say thank you. You were my anti role model as I got older and grew. You showed me in many ways what not to be or do. I knew I had to become just the opposite of you. Here I am many years later, proud of what I've become. Your lessons of anger and hate I was able to overcome.