I may not play with you

I may not play with you
My baby girl
But I navigate the game of life
With you in mind.

And maybe one too many times
I said “I’ll be right there” 
While you sat alone in the other room
And I was “busy” smoking at the window
Asking all the Gods of Dust
To give me strength to face the day
With substance in my favor
With character of grace
And thoughtful actions
Just to fail again when impatience comes my way.

Maybe I am detached and maybe you are strong
My baby girl
And willing to accept me even when I push you hard 
To be independent
Until we lie both on the carpet
And you gently touch my arm
When I resort to asking sympathy from you.
Thank god I do that rarely.
Thank god you always meet me in that realm,
My baby girl.

The place where I am nothing but a human 
And you, my child, are the universe that births me.