Mother's Instinct

Your face was the first thing I saw, I'm sure.

Your arms were the first thing I knew.

Your hands were the ones the guided me, protected me.

You kept me safe. 

I was helpless. A child.

It was love at its simplest.

What changed?

I grew.

I started to struggle against those hands. 

I didn't want to be held.

But you put me down too early.

You let me fly too soon. 

And I fell.

You gave me no boundraries.

No guidelines. 

You tried to protect me

with lies and deciet.

It hurt more 

when I found out myself.

You promised me heaven

but neglected my earth.

I wilted.

The face that I first saw

I barely recognize.

The hands that once guided me

are the ones that now let me down

again and again.

The arms that embraced me

now measure the distance that you hold me away.

I'm sure you meant well.

But failed promises sting. 

You let me go

on a mother's instinct.

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