Guilt Personified

After all we have done for you.
Guilt winds around my ankles like a rope.
You should be more grateful.
The rope is jerked up and I fall on my head.

We cannot believe that you….
No, I do not imagine you can, I think.
But I am my own person now.
With my own opinions and goals.

You do not realize all that we sacrificed.
I never asked you to, I think, but I am too respectful to say it.
I make a mental note to stop coming home so often.
It’s not a positive place, and I have no guilt in my current residence.

We did this and we did that.
We 
We
We
We
We
For the first time I realize how selfish my parents are. 
This is when I decide to tell them I will not be home for Christmas.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Hankins Avatar
October 16, 2022 at 8:27 AM
Wow! This is really good, Caren. It happens all too often, however, and parents don't seem to get it.
Krutsinger Avatar
October 17, 2022 at 12:20 AM
The parents who do this would NEVER SEE themselves as they read it.
Kyser Avatar
October 16, 2022 at 8:13 AM
Honor thy mother and father is a hard command at times. My mom's admonishment was always begun with "You must...", but I'd love to join her for lunch these days! I try not to use that with my kids though...
Krutsinger Avatar
October 17, 2022 at 12:20 AM
I raised my children almost the opposite way I was raised.
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