Friend or Foe

By: Kira Rodriguez

You always yelled at me for simple mistakes.

Everyone makes them, but I wasn’t allowed to.

You always told me that I won’t get anywhere.

I just wanted to follow my dream. Doesn’t everyone?

You always guilted me into friendship.

I never wanted to be your friend.

You spent nights with a glass in one hand,

your head was over the toilet that morning.

You dragged us into the store,

your reward for us was a lollipop.

You spent the waking hours screaming,

your hands lacking the motherly touch.

Lessons were taught in ways easily avoided,

but you chose the hard route and forced us on it.

You look for a friend in me,

but how can I accept?

You say you are proud of me,

but I know you still don’t believe in me.

You say you love me,

at least I know that’s true.