While growing up my mom and I never got along
We quarreled more than we prayed
We fought, though not with our fists, but never settled even in the heat
She couldn’t see through me but I could see through her
I never understood though I constantly stood there

I loved my father more than my mother
My mother beats the living day light out of me
My father consoles more or so I thought, until now…

My dad never said “Don’t hit a woman. Never leave your dirty dish on the kitchen sink for your sister. Never put your feet on the table while speaking your elders. My dad never said be kind, be compassionate, be fair in all your dealings, be just! He never said anything about telling the truth no matter what! He never said to always leave your jeans on your hip, it’s more comfortable there…