My Greatest Fear

My greatest fear was having a daughter.

When I learned that I would be having a baby girl, I cried.

But not for the reason some mother’s do.

I cried because I felt like by bringing a girl into the world, I was cursing her.

It would be my fault for bringing her into a world where she would be preyed upon.

One in four girls are sexually assaulted.

And those are just the ones that get reported.

She would be entering a world where she will be constantly underestimated, and ignored.

Every man who approaches her will cause my muscles to clench.

Having a girl meant one day I will have to feel my heart drop.

Past the floorboards, while she tells me what he did to her.

The world is a scary place, and I just want my girl to be safe.

I’ll do everything I can to make her strong.

From books to martial arts, she’ll hold her own.

But no matter what I do - I know there’s always someone stronger.

Or else, they simply work in groups.

But this girl-

This wonderful, smart, amazing being.

Only two, she’s already tougher than me.

From scraped knees to nightmares, I let her know I’m there.

I can pray she won’t get hurt.

And f*** I hope she doesn’t

But my fear is no longer her.

My greatest fear now is failing my daughter.