deepundergroundpoetry.com

Appearances

I don�t blame people for assuming,

I don�t blame outsiders for not looking in.

If you saw a shop with a sign that said �pet store�,
You�d assume if you looked in you�d see pets and pet supplies.

If you saw a building with a sign that said library,
You�d assume if you looked in you�d see books and desks.

If you saw people labeled �mother� and �father�,
You�d assume they were nurturing and caring of their children.

But �Mother� and �Father� are not titles to be earned,
It�s a brand that�s seared into your skin.

It cannot be washed off.

I don�t blame them for never checking in,
I don�t blame them for assuming they never tried to tattoo over the brand.

They were always a �mother� and �father�,

Hardly a mom and dad.

I don�t blame people for looking at us,

And never once asking the difference.

No one understands what they cannot comprehend,
No one comprehends when they refuse to listen.

People say they sacrificed so much for us,
That I should be grateful.

I wonder,

As I am bleeding,

And bruised,

My ribs aching,

And my hands shaking,

How much more can I sacrifice�?

For those people to say the same about me.

To ask,
Why it�s �Mother� and �Father�,

Never mom and dad.