daddy told me to be wary

of the bad guys, for they might

rob me of tomorrows that

glint like undiscovered gold,

drag my life into a river of dirt.

daddy told me to learn how to fight,

to face the bad guys when they come,

arm myself with ample ammunition.

i’ll welcome their wrath with mine.

blood must be met with blood.

daddy told me to kill any doubt;

the world burns for whoever fires first.

a bullet can decide the whole of a life,

and some lives end better as numbers.

daddy says keep an eye on the tally.

daddy told me that grace

is the haven of the cowards,

the blood is a binding blessing,

a sacrifice for a home that 

slumbers in sheltered safety

daddy told me i did good.

he said i looked like him

when i pulled the trigger.

daddy left a long time ago.

but as i step over the bad guy’s body,

i pray i made daddy proud.

i hope my children make

me proud too,

just like i made him.