Never Knew Why

I never knew why she couldn't tell me she loved me
I was a good daughter
I made her breakfast in bed
I kissed her flushed cheeks when she was ill and droopy
I danced for her in the living room and down the street and through the water
I breathed to make her happy
I told her I loved her a million times a day, and she would smile
She told me it back
But never truthfully
"Do you love me mom?" "Don't be ridiculous, of course."
Or
You look so pretty today with your teeth brushed!
Or
I loved your poem last night
But never I 
Love you
Alone
And the worst part is I can't leave
Because I love her