A Mother’s Love

My sweet daughter.

You think that you need me.

You are mistaken.

I am sad and unstable and lonley and insecure.

I need you to make all of that go away.

You may be too young to handle that burden,

but I don't care.

As a child, you aren't responsible for my happiness,

but I don't care.

Most parents hold their children in their arms,

but in order to keep you in place,

I will hold you under my thumb.

That is why I isolate you from your frather, your family, your friends.

That is why I yell at you for small things.

That is why I punish you for things that warrant no punishment.

That is why I terrorize you, threaten you, berate you, exploit you.

I must make sure that you are pliant and dependent and malleable and weak.

I must make sure that you never question me.

Even if traitorous thoughts ever cross your mind,

I will see that the words die before they ever leave your lips.

I am vindictive and manipulative and cruel and controlling.

I do all this to make sure you stay.

My sweet daughter.

I know that I need you.

And becuase of that, I have made many mistakes.