Mother said: “Look after your sister!”
What she meant was: Take this burden
off my shoulders; I am no longer able to cope.
Father said: “Do as I say, not as I do!”
What he meant was: I don’t have the wherewithal
to deal with my own problems, so don’t bring me yours.
Sister said: “Be a good auntie!”
What she meant was: I am too young to be a mother,
and you are much more responsible, so take care
of my consequences.
So I ran away to build my own life:
met a man and married, bought a house,
had children, and dreamed of a future
that would erase the past… but
Husband said: “If you really loved me,
you’d lose weight, be less effusive, control
your temper, and be more supportive of my choices.”
What he meant was: I’m going to grind you so far
into the ground and then I’m going to cheat and cheat
and you’ll have nothing left inside to do anything about it.
And without a word, I left.
What I meant was: I am a real person
with needs of my own, and despite my faults
or limitations, I deserve better.
(This is an edited version of an older poem by the same name, December 2018. Image my own)
what a powerful poem, you are a terrific writer.
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Thanks so much
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Yes, you did, and yes, you do! This piece echoes much of my past.
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Thanks Susi. I suspect we share many parallels.
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Yes, I think so too. Many things you’ve written have felt like I was reliving the past.
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This hit hard. Take care of you.
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Thanks Mandy Joy.
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Absolutely love this.
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Thank you!
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I love this poem. This is what I have felt as I have been in it. Thank you for sharing the directness. This has brought a comfort in me. Thank you.
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Good to hear, Kritika Thank you
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My pleasure always 🙂
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If this is autobiographical, then all I can say, VJ, is good for you. There is no need to keep toxic relationships in our lives if we can move on. I am glad you were able to ‘translate’ so well.
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It’s all hindsight, LuAnne. Took years to really see what was happening, but the impulse to run was strong.
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Wow! Seems you were surrounded by negativity. Good for you for taking action and moving on.
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Negativity and chaos. Thanks Eugi
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💖
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Powerful poem, VJ.
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Thank you!
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So very inspirational in such anguish
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Thanks Derrick!
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Love it, good one!
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Thanks Janice
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❤
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Thanks
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Oh, how I do love this! Good for you, friend. Good. For. YOU!!!
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Thanks Julie!
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well done on learning to translate the messages and then act on the “real information”
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Thanks Steph.
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Sometimes all we can do is leave without a word.
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Right? Thanks
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You’re welcome.
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You did deserve better! Good for you to have the strength to act on it. A poem many can relate to.
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Thanks Heather. Didn’t figure it out till I was 40.
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You’re welcome.
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