all that you are
is a ball of hopes and dreams
in the form of one
created in God’s image
by two born sinners
something that we have been given
but that we barely deserve
daddy and mommy have been burdened and
tainted by this world
forgive us both for
all of the mistakes we will make along the way
even though one of us has done this
twice before
this time is different
this time
and place in which we live
still puts black girls last
still stunts their esteem while labeling them
fast
still assumes the very worst
still presumes they are the least worthy and deserving of love
still assumes their pain tolerance
is unlimited
and yet, both hands
behind her head I hold
much, much more
baby, all that you are is
the third person I would absolutely
either live or die for
someone so small
and delicately powerful
that pulls close to me to fall asleep
and instantly feel a different kind of love
that I didn’t know I needed
because you never miss
what you never, ever had

and all that I am
is your dad