But did not sire her.

I have only known

Her mom just a year.

I wish I didn't expect

In her future she will ask

her birth dad to walk her down

...the aisle. Instead of me.

She doesn't hate me, but

still thinks of the one that isn't here

As her dad.

It's not:  My heart versus his.

My emotions say it is.

I gain on him every day

Even though I don't want to want to

(that's what my emotions say). 

And then last night we scrambled and crammed

Into the storm shelter. 

She came near and crawled

into my lap and curled

up and fell asleep.

As the winds outside

Whirled.

My baby girl.