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To my daughter;

I have heard it said

That love is unconditional

I have told you many times myself

That my love for you is just that

To my daughter;

As I sit alone and ponder

What I have done wrong for you to say

You can not live with me

You feel like you are in a prison

To my daughter;

I know that feeling well

I have experienced it myself

But it is not a prison I build for you

My main goal is to keep you safe

To my daughter;

May you never feel

The fear that comes

From living in a violent world

I wish you peace and happiness

To my daughter;

I must let you leave

Though you are so very young

I will not keep you, will not force you

To stay where you do not want to be

To my daughter;

My losses have been many

But none so great as the loss

I feel when I see your face and know

That you have been pulled away

To my daughter;

I love you always

To my daughter I wish

Peace, happiness, and love

To my daughter goodbye.