Battle Scarred with Love
I look back with yearning
for things I never said
I look back with sadness
on things she never bled
Silent battle lines
between mother and daughter
parental dictates
harsh criticisms
strewn from deep love
and a need to protect
shadowed in a lie
too deep to reveal
An unspeakable war
so emotionally difficult
because the love
was so great
that survival depended on
building strong walls
But something deep inside
knew
Something deep inside
grew
Wisdom flowed
from pain
blossomed into
understanding
And after too many years
and it being too late for us
today I stand
empty with the knowledge
of knowing who
I am
And knowing
she’d be proud.
I love you, mum!
I miss you so much!
