Dear Mommy, I'm Sorry

A heartfelt apology expressing the pain of a strained mother-daughter relationship

I’m sorry I came so late again,
I know those words don’t ease your pain.
They don't bring change or something new,
And I might be late again, it’s true.

You have your right to rant and scold,
Your reasons clear, your anger bold.
But I had no choice but to walk away,
What could I do, what should I say?

Should I have stayed there and cried ,
Endured the nagging, tears in my eyes?
For eighteen years, that voice has torn,
The strength within me, bruised and worn.

Mommy, you know I love you so,
I see the care you try to show.
But the toxic traits you bring each day,
Have left me struggling to find my way.

You yell and break with words so sharp,
They strike my soul, they wound my heart.
I walk away in silence, true,
It’s all I’ve learned, it’s what I do.

I know you want me to be strong,
To change the habits I’ve held so long.
But breaking free is hard, you see,
This fight within is consuming me.

Still, Mommy, I’ll try�"I’ll fight the war,
To win the battles I’ve lost before.
I’m sorry I’m not the girl you planned,
But these scars remain from a heavy hand.

Your words, they linger, loud and clear,
They drain my strength, bring back my fear.
So when you speak, I walk, I flee,
Protecting the shattered parts of me.

I’m sorry, truly, with all regret,
But promises, I can’t make them yet.
My heart’s a storm, my moods don’t stay,
And change takes more than just one day.

But know I want to make things right,
To rise from darkness, reach for light.
I’ll keep you close in all I do,
And work to make you proud of me too.

But your nagging words, I cannot bear,
They leave me weary, lost, and scared.
I need some time, I need some space,
To heal, rebuild, and find my place.

Author's Note

I’m curious, How does this poem speak to you? Does it remind you of any experiences in your life?

Reviews

[emipoemi]

I've felt this then, I feel it now, and that's been my life for 20-something years. Mother thinks she knows best, but not really the case with most. Doesn't change my love for her, but I need my room to grow and can't really do that when she's practically steering my ship....like she knows how to even captain it. This poem hits hard, and oddly feels like a children's poem of shorts. Def read like one. The struggle is real. A lot would relate. Well done!

[Elly]

wow really, i honestly thought it was just me going through this. At the end the day i know she means well so i just don't take anything to personal.

[emipoemi]

Starts getting quite ridiculous when the hypocrisy comes into play. You're not alone.