there are people
so far removed from your life
who will tell you that your parents love you
regardless of how they behave.

“they still love you”
over and over until the bail is posted,
and the court case is won,
and you simply stop taking their calls.

gone are the days i ever thought
blood to be thicker than water,
when i bought the myth that parents
love their children unconditionally.

what they cannot bear to know?
children don’t love their parents unconditionally
either.