sweet sixteen

Somewhere between the barrel of a smoking gun
and a slap on the back which could nearly fell a sequoia
venomous words once again flew
from a mouth that once suckled at my breast
a child whose eyes indicated that
I was her entirety

but now you're
speaking your mind in a
world gone mad
more than a little sad is my
native princess
i always painted for you a painfully realistic view
so how you can be surprised now
Startles me

I don't want you hurting to the point of
lashing out
at the only one who has behind you every step
the reality of it being a bandage on gaping wounds of
malcontent
is worrying to me
as I don't know how to set your young heart free
the way it was supposed to have been

before worry overtook you
and not fitting in became your curse
how could it be worse when
it's been all you've ever wanted
Soar little dove
may you one day find the love
inside to complete you
ease down into it
let it consume you
over the top of the bonds that constrict your heart
restrict what will come
and one day, soon I pray
may it free you