One Step Behind

You have led me down a path--your way,
and have left me where I stand today.

You have repeatedly shunned your child's tears.
Instead of drying them, you've blown them into fears.

Do you realize?

You keep your child up night after night,
struggling through an inner-bred, tiring, fight,
because that's what you taught her--worry--
"You don't care enough! Selfish!
That's not fast enough. Hurry!"

Never there just to comfort and such;
only to criticize and judge;

"Why didn't you go this way instead of that?
It's fine you did this, but what about that?
This is it? You should've done that!
You think this is adequate? We wanted that!"

Every time; It never fails!

You've taught me well--
Worry!
More than you already are!
Don't ever think you have succeeded,
because you'll always be one step behind.

March 1, 1996