Age (0):
I learned to feed
from my mother's breast
for a few weeks.
Then she got tired.
Age (1):
I learned to interact with my sister.
Mother threw her at me
and I thought she was a doll
(She wasn't. Whoops!).
Age (1.5):
I learned to walk (kind of).
I needed major surgery
to do that correctly
but Mother held my hand
as I took my awkward steps,
body cast obstructing movement.
I stopped talking.
Age (4):
I can read (I learned on my own, I suppose)
but talking is a struggle
so she took me to a speech therapist.
I also learn eye contact
and posture
although I'm not the best.
Mother can't roughhouse
so my dad does.
Age (5):
My social skills are bad so I go to
social group.
Mother helps me out.
Age (7):
I go to people who teach me how to write more neatly
buy they don't.
Mother tells me how important it is
to keep my pants pulled up
and match them with my shorts.
In other words,
I get bullied
and make friends with a girl even weirder than me.
Mother does her best with that.
Age (10):
I get bullied some more
but this time it's worse than ever.
Mother teaches me how to stick up for myself.
Age (11):
I get my period.
Mom teaches me how to change a pad,
saying she's sorry I was born a woman.
Age (14):
I get depression
and then anxiety.
Mother teaches me
how to deal with that too.
I also get bullied some more
but I can't defend myself
against rumors and teachers who bully too.
Mother teaches me how to be a "pit bull".
She also teaches me love and support.
Age 16:
I'm still living, still learning.