You swore that you wrote that song on the radio
About the lion sleeping in the jungle tonight
You told me that the rocks eat the oak trees and I marveled at
The huge stones, bellies full and bloated
You laughed and called me naive
And you wonder why I never believe you
_____
You told me you had me on purpose
That being a mom at sixteen was preferable
To another day at home with your parents
Who said I should be aborted
Then you sent me off with them and they
Showered me with love and affection
Nothing at all like you described
And you wonder why I never believe you
_____
You said I was always number one and no one would come before me
But they always did, one him and then another
The fighting raged on and you reasoned that it was all for me
But I begged you to leave and we always stayed
And you wonder why I never believe you
_____
You swore I was capable and strong
Fully able to handle anything that came my way
You scoffed at my tears and told me to buck up, to handle it
I put on my best disguise for you but
I’m nowhere near the rock you willed me to be
I’m a soft-centered candy collapsing at
The first gnash of teeth
And you wonder why I never believe you
_____
You promised you would always be here
Supporting and defending me
But the disease stole you from me slowly
Body then mind then spirit
Now I’m here reflecting on all the stories you told
Still separating fact from fiction
And one question remains
I wonder why I never believed you
_____
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