to: mom

when are they dropping strained relationship birthday cards?

you taught me there's no merit in suffering for others 

yet all our lives we've suffered for the ones we hold closest to us

i understand you more than i would ever admit to you 

and you know nothing about the person i am now, if you ever even knew me then

ill be angry at you for as long as i live, but there's a terrible grief that lives beneath all that rage

if our family is a line of narcissists raising narcissists, 

then where does that leave me? 

happy birthday!

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

interesting twist. I think I am opposite here. I think my parents and I came to an understanding very late in their lives. But sometimes people get caught up in social climbing and expect their kids to do the same.
I experienced that.
I appreciate this write.
j.

[Neha agrawal]

It’s the kind of message that says everything and nothing all at once.

[LynGeist]

"ill be angry at you for as long as i live, but there's a terrible grief that lives beneath all that rage" I read this with a heaviness in my heart. I come at this poem from a different angle. I am not a narcissist; my 27-year-old daughter, however, is incredibly narcissistic. Our family had its issues. My children (son and daughter) still tell me they never doubted my love and knew I sacrificed a lot for them. I was always trying to ease the (sometimes intentional, other times not) hurt feelings caused by their dad.

My daughter has 4 girls the oldest is 9 the next one is 4 and younger. different dads. When the 9yro is with her mom and stepdad, she is last on the list of importance. Top of the line is her mother. Always. The kids will go without something so she can get a tattoo or a spray tan. And there is always a justification as to why she deserves it. It's so hard to watch my granddaughter's sadness as she tries to reach out to a mother who doesn't see her. I can't fix that. I can't take her mom's place. No one can.

One narcissist doesn't create another. If you have to ask if you follow in her footsteps, you are already in a better place.

[Emunah June.]

I so sincerely appreciated your review on my poem of the same topic, and I am sorry that you are in the same boat as I am. I relate to your words so heavily, and find sorrow that anyone would ever be so saddened by the one who gave them life.

The poem itself is beautiful. It speaks of something so plainly, yet, with its own cadence that it commands attention: which, given the nature of the poem, may be the first time the writer has "commanded" anything, as narci parents tend to make us shrivel up within ourselves and choose submissiveness as the path to safety. The twist at the end of this being addressed to the mother during her birthday, I think, is just so powerful. Taking back peace and coming forth in truth and taking away the spotlight off of her is not only powerful, but bold, and from the sounds of things, well deserved. Thank you for sharing this poem with not just me, but all of us. It deserves its moment!

[Gee]

Mother daughter discord, the second poem on this topic I have read this morning, both as well written as the other.

[emmeline]

thanks for the review :) if you'd be so kind to link the other poem i'd love to give it a read

[Gee]

My pleasure.
Hospice by Emmunah June

[Gee]

Emunah....

[emmeline]

thank you very much, it was a beautiful read!!

[John the Baptist]

If you remain angry with her, that means she continues to control your attention.