Ode to The Father of the Bride

This was your time to make amends
A place where the fear of love ends
Stand tall as a father with pride
Your daughter all grown as a bride

Use the words hidden from your heart
Tell her of bursting pride and love
Of her beauty you should impart
Look at the life you are part of

Do not leave her without a word
Ignoring your child on her day
Search for the questions left unheard
A kinship you left to decay

This was your time to make amends
Not a chance catch up with old friends
Instead you left your girl in tears
Refusing to answer her prayers

Rhyme scheme: AABB, CDCD, EFEF, GGHH
Syllable count: 8 per line
was featured in "Poetry Newsletter (August 20, 2014)"