Generational Trauma

I have my mother's nose.

It's perfectly built for sniffing out all the bullshit

Yet the brain she gave me isn't equipped for doing a single thing about it.

And even though I have my father's rage roiling up inside me,

Waiting for that moment of sweet release,

I also have my mother's mouth.

And the teeth she uses for nothing other than biting her own tongue

Lest she say something that will cause her marriage to come undone

Despite the fact that she would turn out better if it did.

But hey, I'm just their kid

What would I know about having my father's eyes

And the way they're always searching for the worst in people?

What would I know about having my mother's ears

And the way they only pick up on the things she wants to hear?

Am I the first in my lineage to actually care about healing?

Surely not, but then why am I the one who has to teach my father that it's okay to have feelings?

Why am I having to teach my mother that it's okay to have a voice?

And that it isn't the 70s anymore- she finally has a choice

To stay, to leave

But no matter how much I try to get her see

She'll always choose my dad, and choose to ignore me.

It's hard being the amalgamation of all your parent's worst traits

Because it makes you someone they fucking hate.

So parents,

Keep in mind that your kids will become everything you despise

And use this as motivation to find ways in which you can grow.

And if,

While you're seeking,

You find nothing worth tweaking,

Try to dig a little deeper.

Otherwise you might be teaching your daughter to stay in a worthless marriage

Or raising your son to be a wife beater.