Skeletons

 
She was a beautiful  
African girl  
fair skin  
and long straight hair  
I knew she came with  
a reputation  
but back then  
that didn't bother me  
on account of  
those were the days  
of do and dare  
Everyone has  
skeletons  
in their closet  
including me  
Once...  
or was it twice
I tried to explain to her  
anyways I was a deal younger  
and I didn't understand  
half the things  
I do now    
but I could see  
her beautiful ladyship    
was a bit too keen  
to put a ring on my finger  
and I was about to  
set sail  
on a boat I'd spent  
three years building  
I kind of knew  
it was going to be a long trip  
but I'm sorry now  
I never went back  
I'm sorry that  
I let things slip  
When the baby was born  
there was sort of a  
phone call  
long distance  
the line was crackling  
and nothing good  
ever came from it  
I suppose that was  
all my fault  
so there's only  
myself to blame  
but I'd just hate  
for a daughter of mine  
to be out there  
live her whole life  
and then die  
without knowing  
who her real father was  
and me not even getting  
to meet her  
not even just one time  
which is the saddest  
and the most selfish  
part of what can happen  
when you give your head  
control
of your heart