Daddy's Girl - By Angelica Späth

Written By: Angelica Späth

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Angelica Späth offers a deeply personal glimpse into familial relationships with her poem "Daddy's Girl," featured in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work captures the complexities of the father-daughter bond, exploring both cherished memories and more fraught dynamics. Through evocative language and intimate imagery, Angelica invites readers to reflect on the intricate layers that define family connections.

About the Work

"Daddy's Girl" unfolds with vivid recollections of childhood innocence, juxtaposed against the growing pains of maturity. The poem navigates themes of disappointment and realization, capturing the nuanced dance between love and resentment. Angelica's use of direct language and raw emotion evokes a sense of authenticity, drawing the reader into the bittersweet evolution of a once-idyllic relationship.

Daddy's Girl

Original Submission by Angelica Späth

Daddy’s Girl

I thought I'd always be Daddy's girl.

His rough hands in my hair every morning,

Gathering up the strays,

Braids, ponytail, pigtails, whatever I wanted that day

Or on his lap in the Bucki pretending to race the world.

God, those days.

I guess I'm still Daddy's girl,

But you've gotten so good at making me feel like shit

And sorry for you all at once.

I've gotten so good at lying to you,

Making you think I didn't pick it up from you,

From watching you dodge and weave.

It started when I got older, after-school stuff;

Music or art or whatever,

You always with the excuses ‘not feeling well, too tired to drive’.

Bullshit!

I miss it all, fall behind every time

Your polo cap tipped back, cigarette smoke everywhere-choking me.

Beer: Pop! And it's over.

You've gotten so good at holding me back

I've gotten so good at letting you do it,

Like, isn't that what dads are for?

Making me happy,

Getting me there,

Supporting your daughter?

But no, your silent days of nothing if I say a word,

Waiting for me to say sorry like I'm the problem.

Fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, that's when it hit.

The stress you put on me,

You're my ride, my everything.

But every ‘no’ twists it deeper.

Every scream, every action,

Every word pushing me down-twists it deeper.

Caps, Cigarettes, Beer, that's you now.

I keep hoping you'll see you're hurting me and change.

But people don't change, do they?

And those hands that braided my hair,

Just tangle everything up

I'm still daddy's girl

I just finally see what Daddy is all about.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices in literature. Participants from around the world share their unique perspectives through poetry and prose, enriching the global creative arts community. The competition fosters a spirit of artistic excellence and encourages writers to explore and express their personal narratives.

We extend our gratitude to Angelica Späth for her heartfelt contribution, "Daddy's Girl," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her evocative portrayal of family dynamics resonates deeply, offering readers a reflective journey through the complexities of personal growth and understanding. Thank you, Angelica, for sharing your poignant narrative with us.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.