Swore I'd Be
By Raymond Livingston
I swore in 2007, I'd be my daughter's hero,
But the story took a turn — I became the villain.
Was I strong enough to step up, be a better man?
No, I just ran, and the years slipped through my hands.
Missed all the little moments, the laughter, and the doubt,
Should have been her guide, should've taught her what life’s about.
She grew anyway, she found her light and shined,
But the weight’s on my shoulders, and regret ties me to time.
Oh, I keep swearing I'd be better, swearing I'd be strong,
Haunted by the missteps and the places I went wrong.
But I’m building bridges now, where I used to build these walls,
Trying to give my daughters love, to catch them when they fall.
Then in 2013, daughter number two,
Arrived when I least expected, love so fresh and new.
Swore every day I'd show up, always hold her hand,
But the headlines and handcuffs tore away my plans.
Locked away for choices I could never understand,
My girl turned seven wondering why I wasn’t there.
Years lost in silence, an ache I can't erase,
She believes she was abandoned, all because of fate.
Oh, I keep swearing I'd be better, swearing I'd be strong,
Haunted by the missteps and the places I went wrong.
But I’m building bridges now, where I used to build these walls,
Trying to give my daughters love, to catch them when they fall.
Every broken promise weighs like thunder in my chest,
I can't rewrite the pages or undo what I confessed.
But every new tomorrow’s a chance to make it right,
To show the ones I wounded how I’m holding on tonight.
Now it's 2024, daughter number three at my door,
A chance for redemption I can't ignore anymore.
Swore again I'd be present, give all I couldn't before,
No more empty pledges, no more losing to the war.
I’ll teach her that my worth isn’t written by my past,
For this daughter, for all, I’m determined — I’ll last.
Oh, I keep swearing I'd be better, swearing I'd be strong,
Rising from the rubble, where my hopes have all belonged.
For every piece I’ve shattered, I’ll give love, I’ll stand tall,
To show my daughters, I’m still here — to catch them when they fall.
