July 5 (All Your Life)

I do not care for the paunchy guy
Who wears a smile to hide what he cannot...
In nice clothes, gold, food and friends.
I care for what you have become:
A distant reflection of what was once a child
That talked and sang like an angel.
And knowing me, like you know me--
All your life,
You know that I care for the absolute...
That right is right and wrong is wrong;
That there is no "in-between"
Or maybe. Only either/or.
I was born--a dad, thirty one years ago, today.
So, as I say, "Maligayang Kaarawan" to you,
Say "likewise" to me. I can use it,
Because I feel like I died after
Talking to you on the phone--realizing that,
Indeed, you are no longer 'that' child who,
Once upon a time was her daddy's little girl.