Request by Alder Niis
(The Art of Knowing)
Dear daughter
Please remember
Mommy loves you
And daddy would too
I'm sorry I'm busy
But someday I'll come home
And we'll have all the time in the world
I'll teach you the names
Of all the stars and constellations
And tell you bedtime stories
About people from long ago
.
Dear daughter
I hope you are doing well
Studying hard
And eating all your vegetables
I'm sure I don't need to worry
(I've heard those are normal parental concerns)
You always were a good girl
.
Dear daughter
Please do not be too angry
I'm looking for the truth
So the world may know
And when I get back
You'll be the first person I tell
(It'll be our little secret)
.
Dear daughter
You deserve a better mother
I'll understand
If you never see me as one
But if I can't be your mother,
Then while you grow up
I'll be your best friend
I'll be your older sister
And your closest confident
So you know
When you meet a boy
Who sweeps you off your feet
And out to sea
Far away from home
You can tell me all about him
Just you and me
Against the world
.
Dear daughter
I didn't put research before you
I hope you know this
When I learned
You could read the letters
Of civilizations long past
(You always were a bright girl)
I knew that if I didn't go
And brave seas
And rebel against governments
And become a liability
To every person who wanted lies
To become our history
Then they would find someone else
And you always were a bright girl
.
Dear daughter
Please live
Please run away
Please go on without me
I hope
With all my heart
That you will not search
As I have done
For the truth
But it also makes me incredibly happy
That I know
With all my heart
You will
.
Dear daughter
If I had more time
I'd teach you the names
Of all the stars and constellations
I'd make sure you ate your vegetables
(But I'd buy ice cream for desert)
I'd tell you all my secrets
And stories
I'd listen, your best friend,
As you tell me about the boy who swept you away
I'd protect you
No matter how many seas I must brave
And know I'd love you
With all my heart
.
But my time is now past
I'll just be a footnote
In what I'm sure will be
Your chapter of history
Go and live bravely, daughter
Make your own stories
Be swept away
And be proud in all you do
.
(I'm sure you will
You always were a good girl)