'Open Letter To My Biological Father'
© Raul Cortes Jr. 10-19-2021
Dear dad, thank you for who you are, a clear reflection of who I am.
You are the reason I don't have a player's card & that I'd rather be a committed man.
All those years of giving me child support, it really paid off.
Mom never had to worry about my expenses, every lack was staved off.
I never had to get beat down, yelled at or abused by my older siblings.
I didn't pass it down to my younger bro because his future was glistening.
You taught me how to be faithful & take charge of the household.
& took full responsibility for everything that went bad, you never had a long nose.
Mom tried to convince me, that you punched her in the face.
She claimed you were messing with other girls, as if you were a disgrace.
But we know that's not true.
If it were, I would've passed it down & she would've claimed I got it from you.
Remember when we went to Disney Land, mom thought you would never take me.
Proved her wrong, you valued me more than cars, you would never forsake me.
I remember when I was in trouble, out at the park.
You impersonated the FBI & you scared off my haters into the dark.
You taught me how to pay the bills & budget my money.
You would never take advantage of me or take something from me.
Even though you & mom weren't together, you remained respectful.
Y'all worked seamless together, making sure I had it all & was never neglectful.
I never had to take a plane to see you because you made time in your schedule.
Your undying presence & love made you committed, desiring my well-being led you.
Because of you, I'm a millionaire with a loving wife & kids.
Without your example, I would've been homeless, dead or doing a bid.
Mom has every right to align myself with you.
Because all of my greatness didn't come from her, it came from you.
You taught me how to ride a bike & introduced me to my first drink.
Taught me how to treat women, without materializing them in how I feel & think.
I can't say bad things about my mother, y'all were feathers on different birds.
If y'all dwelled on the same bird, I would've fell from the sky, crashed & burned.
©polo
P