Truth Be Told

a miracle                                                        

truth be told

a young life,

a human soul

after hours of pain

mother and father were joyous

i was finally here

patience

truth be told      

was copious

restless nights

sore arms

mother endured much

all for me

coming home

truth be told

was not easy

he had nightmares

and flashbacks

but he made an effort

all for me

yes sir, no sir, yes ma’am, no ma’am

truth be told

was the only way to respond

respect was needed

in this small family

of mine

dishes had to be clean

truth be told

clothes had to be folded

the dogs had to be fed

chores

were a way of responsibility

even when they seemed like punishment

it was not fun

truth be told

i asked to go out

they said no

i wanted to grow up

they said no

“It’s to protect you”, they said

i did not like it

truth be told

they told me to do this

and told me to do that

they bossed

they ordered

and they punished

grounding

truth be told

was not present

punishment

was more effective

i learned my lesson

eventually

they did not understand

truth be told

they do not get me

but they were me

raising someone better than themselves

that is the goal

silly me

they were strict

truth be told

they were harsh

but in the end

it was

Because They Loved Me