I didn't want to be
like my mother's, mother

The one who took the slaps in silence
wore the bruises like tattoos

Swallowed the bitter medicine
of her husbands unfaithful affairs

I didn't want to be
the obedient housewife

the one that carried fear and love in her apron
and often got the two confused  

I didn't want to end up that way
Cutting a smile onto my face

stitching each apology into my skin
to keep count

*I didn't want to end up this way