Mother Dearest

She follows me to where I sleep, hand in hand

promises a restful night

if only I do what she says

this blockade

or I cannot rest.

My darling knock twice and twist the doorknob

and turn that upside down

or you won’t feel safe

so I do as mother says

because she knows best.

In the early morning, when I leave the house

she drags me back once more

my sweetie bang thrice and pull the doorknob

and yank that upside down

now pick up the pace

so I listen to what mother says 

while my neighbour lurks through the eyehole of the door.

Later in the evening, I must wash away my day

but she tells me not to go

and to check once more or just stay

and now tired and upset I follow as she says

because she will throw a fit

so I snap a picture of my door. Locked.

and wipe my sweat until the next day.

It isn't happy when I skip and run to school

So it snaps at me 

and pulls my hair

and messes with my breathing as i panic

and panic

and I pass out halfway there.

It’s no longer a guide to me

a distraction, a huge pain

but I drag it with me anyway

because in my heart I still have this comforting feeling

that mother knows best.