A Father's Love

I need you to step it up.
I need you to do your best.
I need you to rise above
the mediocrity of the rest.
I know you are better
than what you are representing.
I know this lull you are in
should not cause your future a needed mending.
I know the haze that clouds
your current inadequate vision
should not lead you into mistakes
and immediate regretful decisions.
I know you think this is harsh
and that too much is being asked
but you need to know if less was expected
than that would be all you would task.
You should not settle for less
and it is my job to assure you don't.
I refuse to allow you to get yourself into a mess
that, when you try to escape it, you won't.
I will not falter on my responsibility
only to appease your current whims.
I will not tolerate these unnecessary inadequacies
that cause an outcome so grim.
There is too much love flowing from me
to allow you to have free reign
in areas and concentrations that you know nothing of
except for the actions from which you've been told to abstain.

This entire production
is a process in the works
but I will never quit
on you or your quirks.
I vow to both love and care
enough about you
to always stand here
no matter what you do.
No matter the disappointment
I feel inside
I will never run away
and never hide.
You have my word
from here to eternity:
if there is one that will be there
it will always be me.