The Apple Falls Far from the Tree

Here's a poem I wrote a long time ago. I submitted it to my poetry class and got a lot of help revising it from my peers+professor--enough that it ultimately became one of my favorites that I have ever written. Obviously it's pretty personal, but for me poetry is one of the best forms of healing (next to therapy of course lol). I've been hesitant to post, as to not break family confidentiality, but ultimately it's my writing so I'm doing it anyway. It's not necessarily a "fun" read, but have fun reading!

The Apple Falls Far from the Tree

If she’s an apple,

then I want to be

a pear

because I can

no longer bear

the thought of us

being compared.

A sudden change

from sweet to sass

I know what's hidden

in her glass.

When she looks at me

squeezing my hand

I often wish

she'd understand.

I grieve her loss

though she’s still alive

she is my mother

yet I’m deprived

I was too young

I'm still too young

to take good care

of everyone

So I wait for the day

that she comes back

and makes up for

the things she lacked

She might be sorry,

she might not

but sadly we still

haven’t forgotten

Yet I still fought,

sought her out

asked what is

this all about?

She can’t explain

and that’s okay

because one day

things will all change.

This tragedy that

we call life

is filled with sorrow

fueled by strife

But this beauty

we call living

is the gift that

keeps on giving

With addiction

comes the rain

wash our sorrows

down the drain.

The leaves begin to change

bringing in new produce

but we must pick quickly

before the next excuse.

I want my fruit ripe.

though hers is bruised

but by the end

I have to choose

I decide to forgive.