When You Said

When you said,

“You really hate her don’t you?’’

I guess I was surprised.

I was only eight but

I had said something nasty to mother,

Behind her back of course.

I don’t remember what it was

I just remember your reaction,

That look on your face.

“You really hate her don’t you?’’

I hadn’t thought about it before,

But I realized you were right

And I said, “Yes, don’t you?”

You shook your head, and said no.

And I wondered then, and still do now,

How could you not hate her?