You say,

"Don't eat that you're already fat,"

I waste away until my stomach collapses,

Cower in turquoise sheets to turn invisible,

Now I'm on a permanent fast.

You dare,

Remind me of your sacrifices,

I am a blessing not a burden,

Should have kept your belt tighter,

The love you fell in was not a sin.

You realize,

I am your reflection,

I am your shadow,

And that makes you wake

Nightly with worry,

I am the sum of your

successes

screw ups

sobs

smiles

sleeplessness...

Now we are insomniacs in our own corners.

I say,

I am held prisoner to your decisions,

Only eighteen, I have already learned to settle,

Money makes the grass grow,

As an invasive, weed that lives to meddle,

I dare,

See your soul dressed in sores and scars

as the gauze is peeling away,

Your pockets are dry but stable,

When will be your lucky day?

I realize,

"The world is your oyster,"

I was once told,

But only if you don't bite off

more than you can hold,

I get lashed for you

choosing to be a social worker or teacher,

Instead of selling your soul

to be a CEO or network preacher.

They say,

"Parents kill more dreams more than anybody"

Now I know you didn't load the bullets

You're too soft to pull the trigger

The gun came with the title

Yet I must dream

bigger.