May 3, 2011

A Daughter's Burden

I am
condemned
by the meaning that he gave
to my name.
Linking me forever to my father’s past,
my father’s actions,
opinions.
My nature is like any daughter’s,
Daddy’s Little Girl.
Yet he blames me for being the daughter
I have become.
I freed my father
from similar condemnation
but he is the one who gave me the key
to gates so grand.
What daughter wouldn’t
set her daddy free?

My name strikes fear
in new mother’s ears,
as they pray
for new life’s purity.
My name alone conjures
punishment, repentance,
hopes of forgiveness.
Daddy named me Sin
and all it meant to me was daughter.
My condemner made it famous.
Its meaning sits
so heavy on my shoulders.