I once asked my mother

 

I once asked my mother to stop

drinking

When she asked why, I warned

her of the dangers it could bring.

Yet my mother remained

unmoved.

And down came a plague of venomous words.

 

I once asked my mother to stop

shooting heroine.

When she asked why, I warned

her of the consequences it could have.

Yet my mother remained

unmoved.

And down came a plague of poverty and theft.

 

I once asked my mother to stop

dating abusive men.

When she asked why, I warned

her of the hurt it could cause.

Yet my mother remained

unmoved.

And down came a plague of purpled skin.

 

I once asked my mother to stop

trying to contact me.

When she asked why, I told

her that I moved on to better places.

And my mother sent an army to stop

me from leaving.

But I took that staff, and I crossed the sea

 

Then I let the waves crash down behind me.