she comes to everyone eventually
lies with you on polished hospital beds
watches over your crib as you’re fast asleep
loves you like a mother loves her newborn
tends to your tribulations, to your shortcomings, never judging

then soon, she gives you grief for tiny little mistakes you make
she insults your frame in the mirror
gawks at the insecurities that haunt you
makes all your surroundings seem like ginormous threats
heats you up with angst and tells you to deal with the real world

later, she’ll settle down
she’ll patch up the tarnished image she left of you with bill payments and mortgages
she’ll start poking you with sticks and bricks, making your back slouch in pain
she’ll be fake nice to you once in a while, other times she’ll shame you for taking a cheat day
she’ll tear you down limb to limb, bone to bone, leaving little room to try to grow

finally, she’ll leave you couches to sit on while the television sizzles, the only entertainment left for you
won’t lend any help or support for your medical bills and visits
will creep around the corner slowly, telling you to breathe, keep breathing, just keep breathing
she’ll try to reach you, but your frail bones and blinded eyes won’t be able to see her hand outstretched in the dark
she will witness your last moments with an absentminded smile
knowing **** well she loved you, but she was never able to stop to tell you