[Voice: WorldPatternz] ## Verse 1 First few years you were there, then became a ghost Marine corps values, that's what you valued most Three decades of birthdays, most spent alone Apparently a parent has to parent their children? That wasn't shown One, maybe two visits scattered through the years Building a relationship through absence and fears I'm 31 now, still waiting for that call Wondering if in your mind, I exist at all ## Hook Apparently a parent has to parent their children But you left that role vacant, that position Left me questioning what I did wrong in your vision Apparently a parent has to parent their children ## Verse 2 You wanted me in uniform, following your path Despite the PTSD that broke you in the aftermath Pills for depression, nightmares that never cease Yet pushed me toward a war that stole your peace CPS case opened, a whole year passed by Before you even heard about it, didn't even try To reach out, ask questions, offer support Apparently a parent has to parent, but yours fell short ## Bridge Do you think about me when the day grows long? Do you wonder who I've become, what went wrong? I still love you, Dad, that will never change But love without presence feels so strange ## Verse 3 Music became my shelter, my voice, my release Building something beautiful from this incomplete peace You wouldn't know about the bars I spit or shit I transpose The passion that saved me, cuz you chose not to know I've reached out so many times, tried to build that bridge But connection requires two sides to eliminate the ridge Even after everything, I wouldn't want my kids to feel What it's like to be forgotten, that pain is too real ## Freestyle Your absence taught lessons words never could Made me stand on my own when nobody would Blood ties don't guarantee they'll see you through the storm Your silence shaped me in ways beyond the norm Father figure fragmented, just pieces of a man I built myself from scratch, no blueprint, no plan Still searching reflections for traces of your face Wondering which parts of you I shouldn't erase They say forgiveness heals, but what about the void? The space where memories should be, but were destroyed Apparently a parent has to parent, that's the truth that stings But from broken expectations, my resilience sings ## Outro Apparently a parent has to parent their children That's the lesson you taught me in your absence I'll break this cycle with my own descendance Never let them question if they're worth my existence

I forgive but can't forget