Mom and Dad force you
to believe that you’re free, that you're
independent.
You can make your own choices,
      What to eat,
      Where to go

      Who to love.

They lied.

Responsibilities come with expectations.
      To succeed,
      to be like them.

Their values are outdated
and your idea of love is as broken
as their marriage.

Yet you're expected to flourish under such restrictions.
       Get good grades.
       Be a good girl.
       Find fine fellows.

Now they don't bother with what you want
because you're an adult now,
       and this is your life.