21 Strained Father-Child Poems

A poem to her dad from a daughter who is slipping away before his eyes.

Last Chance

By Stefanie
Published: August 2008

Poem To Dad From Angry Daughter

My heart aches, Dad,
For the things you won't do.
My soul breaks, Dad,
For all that we've been through.

I fear it's too late, Dad,
To mend my broken heart.
I'm so full of hate, Dad,
I don't know where to start.

You took away my hope, Dad,
That I would ever be loved,
And now I'm left to cope, Dad,
As I watch you love your son.

I want to scream and yell, Dad,
But I fear my voice will crack.
I want so much to tell you, Dad,
That I can't always take you back.

Please listen to my words, Dad,
For they are all that I can say.
I want you to treat me like I'm yours, Dad,
And not just throw me away.

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My dad is a substance abuser. He is abusive physically, emotionally and mentally in every possible way imagine. Since I could remember he has degraded my mum, my brothers and me. My mum...

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Broken

By Sarah R.Ramsey
Published: April 2008

Poem About Father Breaking Daughter's Spirit

in Dad Poems by Teens

You broke my trust for you
Just as you broke your promises.
You broke my love for you
Just as you can break a twig.
You smashed my heart into a million pieces
Just as you can give a shirt a thousand creases.
So now you got me broken inside.
Sometimes now I just want to hide.
You never cared for me; that's why I feel broken,
And you know that I'm not at all joking.
You never loved me.
That's why I'm choking up with tears.
You never listened to me.
It's like you didn't have ears.
Your heart is cold; it's always been pitch black,
And now you made my heart have a huge crack.
Whenever I stood up,
You shoved me back down.
You always acted like I wasn't around,
And when I had the guts to say something,
You only ignored me.
That's why sunshine
Is something you'll never see.
That's also why you'll never be
Like a father to me.
Whenever I spoke up, you hushed me.
Whenever I told you something, you shushed me.
That's why I'm leaving you behind,
But unfortunately only in my mind.

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I can relate. My Dad is an alcoholic and he has crushed my heart. He has broken me beyond repair.

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Dad, I miss you so much. Please come back home.

Daddy

By Monique
Published: March 2008

Absent Father

in Father Poems

It seems like only yesterday
You wiped away my tears
As I called your name
To fight away my fears.

When you didn't respond,
I knew you weren't coming back.
I realized then you left me
And that you were to slack.

Are you alive?
Or are you dead?
Do you love me? And do you care?
Sometimes I wonder what's going through your head.

Dad,
Always keep to your heart
That I miss you,
And my love for you will never part.

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Dear Father,
On this day I have nothing to look back at and reminisce. My memories of you are few. I can count on my fingers the times I have seen you, less than that the times we have...

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This poem is for my Daddy. We may not always see eye-to-eye, but I will always love him.

To My Dad

By Cassi
Published: May 2009

in Father Poems

I wonder what it's like
to not put up a fight
with someone you're supposed to love so dearly
and get some sleep at night.

I look through these photos
of me and you together,
pictures of you and me smiling
in nice or raining weather.

I wish we could go back to that,
smiling together every day,
but now it's the occasional smile;
it's just not the same today.

Now I'm all grown up.
I'm smart and strong-willed.
You're still much smarter than me,
and your strength just keeps on building.

I'm tired of these fights
and you making me mad.
When I try to get along,
the results just end up sad.

So I'll keep trying
for the moon and stars above.
I may not act like it, Daddy,
but you I will always love.

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I can really understand this poem I'm 14 and everytime me and my dad talked we would end up yelling at each other and the conversation would end with him hitting me or kicking me to the...

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A letter from daughter to father, pleading with him to be in her life.

Despite All Fault

By Tasha S. Smith
Published: February 2006

Poem About Loving Father Even If He Doesn't Visit

in Abandonment Poems

Sometimes I wonder if you even care,
because when I need you, you aren't there.

No matter how much I want to hate you, I can't;
Momma won't let me 'cause nobody's a saint.

I know you could be a good father if you really tried;
so, stop, think about it; listen to the tears I've cried.

Tears that could so easily be wiped away
and replaced with love sure to stay.

Listen, no one can take your place,
even if they had your same face.

I've grown to love you despite all fault,
and that love I will keep within my heart.

Don't be afraid;
my love has never strayed.

I need you a lot,
more than you ever thought.

And remember, I love you despite all fault.

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You are a very strong young girl. I don't know if it's because he hasn't let you down enough times yet for you to lose the love you have for him or if maybe I really do deep down love my...

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I was inspired to write this because of how my family was living and how we got treated.

Betrayal

By Mitsuko Paul
Published: July 2008

Not Trusting Father

in Father Child Poems

We trusted you with all our hearts,
Just to find that you didn't care.
No more lies, no more cries.
It's all over; there's no more time.
You had your chance to make it right,
But you just gave up the fight.
How can we believe you now?
You broke our hearts once again
And we're not proud of what you did.
All the cries we gave to you,
All the time we spent with you.
How could you treat us like you do?
We loved you and this is what we get.
A part of us wants to let it go, but the rest of us just said no.
This is how I feel right now,
and I just had to let it out.

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For years I felt I wasn't good enough for you, you only made me cry. Why were you always angry at me dad? All I did was try. I wanted to make you proud with the things I accomplished but...

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My Name is Shayla and I am 15 years old.
People have been quite an inconsistent factor in my life, my Dad included. For years our relationship was on/off because of his lack of effort, but I always longed for that father/daughter relationship that I saw other young girls have. Now that I'm older, we go through stages of talking and not talking, but it seems to be more on my terms. It is a little sad, but I have my siblings, so I'm never alone and I love my life!

I'm Sorry...Dad

By Shayla Pearl H.
Published: April 2015

Poem About My Feelings Towards My Father

in Dad Poems by Teens

I'm sorry you missed the day I came home.
I'm sorry you left my Mum all alone.
I'm sorry you missed the first time I walked.
And I'm sorry you missed the first time I talked.

I'm sorry you missed tucking me in at night.
I'm sorry you missed turning off my light.
I'm sorry you missed me getting my first fright.
And I'm sorry you weren't there to tell me it's alright.

I'm sorry you never really cared,
Never bothered to make a call.
In fact, I'm not sorry in the slightest bit.
I'm not sorry at all.

You should be sorry,
Sorry to me,
And sorry to all of us,
For what you couldn't be.

A Dad is supposed to love,
Protect, worship and care.
A Dad is supposed to do all of this,
But most importantly be there.

But you couldn't provide,
Protect or care.
You couldn't worship.
And you couldn't be there

Because you made the choice
To never try with me.
Sure, you're on and off now,
But it's just too late, you see.

I mean, I get it now.
And although this makes me sad...
You will always be my father.
You'll just never be my Dad.

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My dad was deported for being caught with drugs a few months before I was born. He wasn't there for any of my firsts. He didn't see me until I was a year old and we moved to Mexico. I grew up...

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Do you know what it's like to grow up without a father. Perhaps you would understand this little girl's words.

Daddy's Little Girl

By Emma R. Sims
Published: February 2006

Poem About Growing Up Without A Father

in Dad Poems by Teens

By Emma Sims
Age:12

I wish, I wish I was daddy's little girl,
I would have a dance with him; into his arms I'd twirl.
I would have someone to hold me close when I get too scared,
Instead I have to dream about it with my best friend Brittany Baird.

It's so hard to talk about it,
Why can't it just be true?
Why did you have to leave me?
Please come back, can't I talk to you?

But none of this will happen,
As I sit here and I cry.
No daddy to share my feelings with,
Why me, God, why?

I'm so glad that mama's here,
As she tickles me to the ground.
But now she's all I've got,
Since you're never around.

My mother's always there for me,
And helps me when I need it.
You weren't there when I needed you most,
Not even a little bit.

I think of all my other friends,
Who have their dads by their sides.
It makes me so mad,
That I just want to run and hide.

Why, why did you have to leave me?
I think as I sit in my bed.
All of these terrible thoughts of you
Are tearing through my head.

Sometimes it gets too painful,
As if I'm going to die.
Instead I sit perched on my bed,
Trying not to cry.

I'm trying to forget it now,
I'm trying really hard.
But in my mind I can't forget,
My heart is far too scarred.

God, why do you hate me?
Did I do something wrong?
Why must you keep this pain in me,
For so very long?

Daddy,
It's not really how it sounds.
It's like I'm a lonely dog
Being taken to the pound.

Couldn't you just suck it up
And try to work it through?
I just want to hear those words from you
That say "I love you."

But none of that is really true,
I hate the way I think of you.
A terrible coldhearted man,
I wish that you could understand.

As I write this poem
I can't help, it I just tear.
I wonder what it would be like
If you would just be here.

Couldn't you try and love me?
Let's give it a whirl.
Wouldn't it be nice if I could be
Daddy's little girl?

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I'm 13 years old. I have a dad, but I want him to be with me. We talk on the phone and we say we love each other. But I want him here in my life. I want him to be on my side when my mom...

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From age 13 to present (age 18) my relationship with my father has been starting to fade away. We have not gotten along, and deep down inside I wish we could. This poem goes out to all of the daughters feeling mentally abused or emotionally heart broken by their fathers. I hope for daughters to read this and know that they're not the only ones suffering through a rough time with their fathers.

Broken Hearted Daughter

By Tarryn Miller
Published: June 2014

Poem About a Strained Relationship with Father

in Dad Poems by Teens

Photographs of you holding me in your arms,
You protected me from any kind of harm,
You influenced me to play guitar,
I was always your number one rock star.

You looked so proud to be my dad,
But now every day you look so sad,
I wonder why you turned into this,
You're violent with your tone and not your fists.

I'm thankful you're not abusive physically,
But you turn my emotions into misery,
Money seems like your only desire,
You're only happy when your income is higher.

Why can't you just be happy and smile,
It could make you feel better for awhile,
You never wipe my tears as they fall,
The problem between us is far from small.

There is an empty spot in my soul,
Our relationship is taking a toll,
I love you with all my heart,
I don't want our relationship to fall apart.

It's holding on by one last thread,
I regret the bad things that I said,
Can't you realize the expression across my face,
It's drawn with dark colors of disgrace.

But I guess you just can't see,
How much you really mean to me,
I wish I could have a dad and not just a father,
That would always be there for his daughter.

You never care what I have to say,
Tears fill my eyes as I look away,
I cannot hide my pain any longer,
Please change soon or I'll be a goner.

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I'm Angela, 16 years old.. I've been writing since I was a kid. This is for my dad. My mom left him a little over 2 years ago, and my mom took him back and he left again, but this time on his own. Nobody realizes how bad it hurt me.

Where Were You Daddy

By Angela
Published: October 2011

Poem From A Hurt Daughter

in Dad Poems by Teens

where were you when I was all alone
why weren't you here after I begged you to come home
how could you leave me here by myself, you were all I had
I had enough people to hurt me
I needed my dad

you promised you'll always be here to pick me up when I'll fall
you told me if I ever needed anything,
all I had to do was call
I must have called you a million times that day
I just needed to hear your voice
I needed to know you were okay
but you didn't even answer,
you didn't even say good-bye
I guess you were too drunk to remember about me
or maybe you were just too high

I needed you, Daddy,
I needed you to love me more
but you weren't thinking about me
when you walked out that door

it's sad that you did what you told me every other guy would
if my own dad couldn't love me
I don't see how any guy could

I hated you because you left me here with no one
even now you haven't apologized for anything you've done
you say I need to forgive you, but how when you never even said sorry
who stuck by you right or wrong,
wasn't it me?

just like the typical guy you couldn't love me or appreciate the things I did
I don't even know who you are
you're not the man I looked up to as a kid

I want him back, I want my dad!!
don't you see? nothing else mattered,
he was all I ever had
he was the only one who put me first before everything else
we were a team, Dad
how could you leave me here by myself?

since the first day you left, there's been this space I've so desperately trying to fill
no one understands anymore and these cuts are the only way I numb the pain I feel
I found a way to fill the space, but it's only temporary
they can't erase the pain I've been through
you said I'll always be your baby
Dad, what did I do?!
These boys can't take the insecurities you caused
no matter what they do or say
you were supposed to be here, Daddy,
to take the hurt away

I just want everything to be like it was before you decided it was easier to leave,
before you forgot all the things you promised,
before your drugs meant more to you than me,

I just wish this would all stop,
I wish I could make it all okay
I can't forget 2 years ago
I still blame myself, I should've made you stay
but you should have known better
I would never have wanted you to go
you were my protector, Daddy
you weren't supposed to hurt me; you were suppose to be my hero
but you did hurt me, Dad, and you can't take it back
it'll never be the same
I've become so insecure and you're the one to blame
even if you realize you were wrong and come home tonight
it's done so much damage trying to fill that space
nothing you do will ever make it right

I made some big mistakes trying get your attention
I'm sorry, I cant' take it back no matter how bad I want to
I'm ashamed of my choices, you can be mad and hate me but if I deserve that
Dad, so do you...

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I wish I had a normal father just like my friends. A loving and caring support. Dad, you've done so much damage to me. It might not be visible to you since the scars you left are internal,...

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In despair a girl waits for her father's approval that used to come so often but seems to come not at all.

Long Time Gone

By Nicole Mezzapelle
Published: February 2006

Daddy Tell Me You Love Me Poem

in Dad Poems by Teens

How long has it been since you wrapped me
in those strong and tough arms of yours?
How long are you gonna wait
to tell me that you are proud of me?
Tell me now, stop acting like nothing's wrong
I can see right through you,
I don't wanna disappoint you at all
I wanna make you cry so much because you're proud of me
You used to let me lie there in your arms
and mess around with your watch,
just listening to it tick back and fourth
Kneeling at the end of my bed,
I just cry waiting for you to tell me
everything's going to be ok
Just take me away again and farther this time
You use to fill my cup when it was dry, Why did you stop?
You'd pick me up when I fail, but now you don't even notice
I'm falling and I'm longing for you, just you
You used to tell me, just try your best. That's what it's all about
But now you sweep up my dreams and hopes and tell me I can do better,
instead of encouraging me
How long are you gonna wait to tell me
that you love me and you're proud of me?
Oh, long time gone, I miss those times

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Thank you for writing this. When my dad first left I thought no one would understand how I feel about my dad he was my hero when I was young now he is gone and it feels like he doesn't love...

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A son pleading for his father not to leave tells him how special he is.

Hey Daddy, Please Come Back

By Jesse-Ryan G. Debenport
Published: February 2006

in Father Poems

Hey Daddy,

There are a couple of things I think you missed
So write this down, make a little list.
Here are a couple of things that I want you to remember
That sometimes you seem to forget.
You're not the only one.
There are also a couple of things that I need to fix.

Hey Daddy,

Don't forget to tell me you love me.
Don't be too embarrassed to grab me and hug me.
If it makes you feel better, go ahead and slug me.

Hey Daddy,

No matter how much you bug me,
Just know that I enjoy your company,
Laughing when you make fun of me.

Hey Daddy,

I'll try and set aside the girls
At least one day a week
So you won't get so mad at me
So we can hop in the truck and go four-wheeling.

Hey Daddy,

Remind me to give you a hug goodnight.
I never want you to feel
Like I'm leaving you out to dry.
Don't be afraid to grab my hand
Just because it doesn't feel right.
I never wanna regret
Not doing it later on in life.

Hey Daddy,

Please hang on to me.
I'm growing up way too fast.
Too much of the future,
Not enough of the present day or past.

Hey Daddy,

Please don't let me go.
I want these years to last.
I just wish I could let you know
How much I don't want you to leave,
How much I appreciate your company.

Hey Daddy,

I'm not gonna tell you to walk a little slower.
I'll just catch up.
I'm not gonna tell you that you're leading my life.
I'm just gonna tell you to show your love.

Hey Daddy,

I didn't want you to see the tears in my eyes
When I was standing there waving goodbye.
I didn't want you to get on that plane.
I didn't want you to take that flight.

Hey Daddy,

Ford looked up to me as you pulled away.
He said on the verge of tears,
"Jesse, I don't want Daddy to go to work today."
In the back of my mind
I recalled all of the fun over the years.

Hey Daddy,

I promise I tried to hold back the tears,
But I couldn't; I cried, it hurt so bad.
I could've died, it made me so mad
To know that I couldn't stop you from leaving.
Now the whole family is grieving,
But no one is as hurt as I am.
I lost my best friend when you left.
I lost my Buddy, my Brother, my Friend.

Hey Daddy,

I can't write anymore,
The tears are falling and the ink is fading.
I haven't really been myself lately.

Hey Daddy,

I just couldn't hold back.
Cut me some slack.

Hey Daddy,

Please come back.

Hey Daddy,
Friend
Brother
Dad
Please Come Back

Love Always,
Your Son,
Jesse Debenport

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This poem was a major speaker of my feelings toward my father who at this time is not present in my life. I resent him for all the emotional and physical abuse, but I often catch myself...

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A girl grows up without her father in her life. She looks at her friends' daddies and wonders what it would be like to have her own. Then her dad passes away. She feels more grief at never having known him than at his actual death.

Daddy Never Came Around

By TIFFANY J. HARLOW
Published: February 2006

in Father Child Poems

I saw you once when I was two.
I remember it so vividly, as if the memory was new.
It would have meant so much to me
if you would have come around.
You could have been the man to wipe away all my frowns.
Growing up, I used to wonder what you were like.
Did you care?
Why did all my friends have daddies but you weren't there?
I can't ask you these questions
because you're no longer alive.
You passed away, and I cried and cried.
It might be selfish of me for not crying
because I truly cared for my dad that passed
but more for not getting things off my chest I needed to say.
Deep down I don't know how to feel.
This is my way of expressing
My pain is real.

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I can relate so much to this. My dad left when I was 2 and a half, and I saw him when I was around 3. That memory haunts me in my dreams. Sadly, he died in 2020 due to his mental health, and...

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Strained Father-Child Relationships

21 Strained Father-Child Poems