My Daughter's Disappointment

I should be grateful
And I am.  Really.  Just not...
Happy about it.

With my daughter's face
in full beauty and sadness
I saw it all drop

"I got a job, hon"
I gave the news in person
just minutes before

She knew the meaning
Spending more time with her dad
and less time with me

I had her same hours
I taught with the same hours she
learned.  And I loved it

But all that's gone now
For over a full year now
and I need to earn

Less than half my pay
I'll settle for less than that
If I can keep her

I can't afford death
(And I'd die if I lost her)
I needed a job

And I am grateful
I'm just not very happy
To lose time with her