I’ve been going through a lot of my old writing and found this poem I wrote for my mother in 1996. We didn’t have the best relationship during my teenage years.
*****
To the Best Friend I Never Knew…
*****
Although I should have spoken
And told you about everything I had done
I was too stubborn. And had to have things my way.
When you approached me I pushed you away.
You must have been hurt by me but you never let it show.
If something went wrong, I blamed you.
And you just accepted the blame and said nothing.
No matter what I did, you were always there.
Even if it was only in the shadows.
I wouldn’t let you get too close.
No one could get close to me.
When I did things that hurt you, you turned the other cheek.
Always faithful, you have never left me.
Though you have stood by me, I have never thanked you.
Words were never easy
Especially when it came to you
I never understood why you loved me
Still after everything I had done
Why you kept coming back
When all I caused you was pain.
And to this friend I never knew
I must say thank you.
For being a true friend, unconditionally
As only mothers do.
