A Daughter

How do you talk
    To a daughter?
The one you gave away.

Do you act as if
    You’re surprised
    As she?

Do you pretend
    You weren’t there
    At her birth?

Do you lie
    Say she’s like
    A close friend?

You’ve always known
    About her.
You’ve never forgotten
    That she is
    Your daughter.

There’s been enough
    Lying and pretending
    And acting as if.

So you broach the truth
    Of your experience
And endure the barren silences
    That follow
Fearing this will be the end

Hoping this will bring you closer
    To the woman
    Who is
    Your daughter.