27.2 (#57) I Took Offence by Myron Lysenko

My daughter asks why I look so sad.

I tell her somebody called me fat
and I took offence.

-          But you are fat, daddy.

-          Yes I’m fat but she was being cruel.

-          What does cruel mean?

-          It means she was trying to hurt me.

-          Did she bite you?

-          No.

-          Did she scratch you?

-          No.

-          She hurt me inside,
I said placing

my hand over my heart.

My daughter places her hand

over my hand.

-          Does your heart hurt, daddy?

-          Yes, I nod.

-          Is that why you took her fence,

so you could put it around you and keep her

out of your heart?

She climbs up onto my chair, gives me a hug

and starts to pat me on my back.
There’s a tear in her eye
but it’s stuck there, refusing to fall.


Myron Lysenko