My entire childhood contained in a Disney princess gift bag
Torn and overflowing
A relic from one of my replacements
I don't know their names
Her do-overs
New children cancel out
Old mistakes
She sends me photos, report cards, awards
Proof that I existed
In a time before I crumbled
Before she trampled me
I wonder if she terrifies them
There is a Mother construct in my mind
Born of tender moments witnessed
Of hallmark cards
Imperfect but striving
Maybe she loves them
Some way she couldn't love me
A constant reminder of the man she threw away
A life that brings shame
Locking away the proof
The photos
The same place she kept her heart
We've both moved on, now
But I don't mourn her
The loveless ruthless mother
I mourn the construct I imagined
That I never knew her tenderness
Never heard those words
Apr 12, 2014
Apr 12, 2014 at 5:14 PM UTC
My entire childhood contained in a Disney princess gift bag
Torn and overflowing
A relic from one of my replacements
I don't know their names
Her do-overs
New children cancel out
Old mistakes
She sends me photos, report cards, awards
Proof that I existed
In a time before I crumbled
Before she trampled me
I wonder if she terrifies them
There is a Mother construct in my mind
Born of tender moments witnessed
Of hallmark cards
Imperfect but striving
Maybe she loves them
Some way she couldn't love me
A constant reminder of the man she threw away
A life that brings shame
Locking away the proof
The photos
The same place she kept her heart
We've both moved on, now
But I don't mourn her
The loveless ruthless mother
I mourn the construct I imagined
That I never knew her tenderness
Never heard those words
