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Only Once


 I only have once to do it 

But I won't


I only have once to notice

But I will be blind


I only have once to listen

But I will ignore


I only have once to play

But I will work


I only have once to be patient

But I will be angry


I only have once to get it right

But I will fail


I only have once

To be what they need

Because, you see

They are a child only once


I know what I should do, but

Fear

Shame

Pride

Exhaustion

Worry

Doubt

Frailties

They will all get in the way


I will try with every fiber

Despite all failures

And shortcomings

To be what they deserve


I hope the day will come

That they will understand

The battles fought

That they never saw


I hope they will understand

That they will have compassion

That they will forgive

And find healing knowing


Knowing that I did it all

Worked

Feared

Worried

Cried

Fought

Prayed

Stayed

Because I am a father


And despite my failures

I will never stop trying

I will never stop fighting

Because I am a father


And a father's love never sleeps

Never stops protecting

Never gives up

Never ends


After all,

A father's love

Was fashioned

After the Father of all


So only once is all I need

to show you

That I may fail

Buy my love never will


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