I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, too many
but
being your father wasn’t ever one of them.
I have never cut a large check, or saved a lot of money
but
I’ve watched you sleeping, your eyes moving with REM dreams.
I have never owned any property or land
but
I’ve held your first teeth in the palm of my hand like pearls.
I have never come first or won anything at all
but
I’ve felt your tears against my neck, kissed the blood from grazed knees.
I have never been a VIP or flown first class
but
I’ve ran alongside you, your laughter like music, your first solo bicycle ride.
I have never been much of a good person
but
I’ve stood in the darkness so you could have the light, starved myself so you could eat.
I have made so many mistakes in my life,
but
being your father was never one of them.
You’ve been my only true loves and
the only love that was never wasted.
People always ask the question
have you ever been in love?
but
the real question should be
have you ever been loved?
I have
and
I feel your love on me like a day in July.
It’s reprieve from the gallows every single day.
Bio:
Stephen J. Golds was born in London, U.K, but has lived in Japan for most of his adult life. He enjoys spending time with his daughters, reading books, traveling, boxing and listening to old Soul LPs. His novel Say Goodbye When I’m Gone will be released by Red Dog Press in October 2020 and another novel Glamour Girl Gone will be released by Close to The Bone Press January 2021