i wish i didn't have
to be the parent
of my mother

i wish i didn't have
to constantly listen to her
complaints about how
her husband doesn't
satisfy her needs

i wish i didn't have
to listen to her cry
and feel the pain
she feels because
it hurts me too

i wish i didn't have
to be the punching bag
for all of her grief
because i have enough already

i wish i didn't feel
so selfish
for wishing all of this