Dear Mother

Something I wrote for my mom, though I know I could never have the guts to give it to her.

I remem-

ber you sat

me on my

bed.You told

me you would

always love

me no mat

ter what. You

gave me that

promise ring

to keep for-

ever, so

that I re-

membered to

never give

my body

away to

someone who

didn’t care

about me.

But here I

am crying

as his kiss

is slapped on

to my mouth,

my neck, ev-

erywhere that

I don’t want. I

make a struggle

through the front

door in wet

clothes. not ev-

en my clothes.

water touch-

ing every

inch of skin.

You said you

couldn’t look

me in the

eye any-

more. You see

my cuts, and

said you are

disgusted

with how I

have grown up

to be. You

ask yourself

where you went

wrong. I wish

I could make

it up to

you mother.

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I understand your guilt and remorse as a daughter, but this isn't about your mother. It's about you. If you were truly raped, he needs to pay for what he did. If you didn't want it, it's rape. Period. Either your mother supports you in that or she doesn't. Either way, it's not your fault; and you have nothing to feel ashamed about. You need to report it, and he needs to be punished. He should feel ashamed, not you. Rise about your guilt and shame and stand tall. Doing the right thing is never wrong, and your mother should be very proud of you for that.