Greener | A Collection of Poems

9 || Resemblance

I have your face,
It's what everyone says.
I have your eyes,
your smile

I have your frown,
I have the same lines
in my brow.
I am you,
condensed and reformed.

I have your blood
running though my veins.
I have your spirit,
your cynicism,
your intelligence.

I have your rage;
you gave it to me
before I even knew
what memory was.

You tell me of times
you struck me before
I even knew
what pain was.

You say it
like it's something
to be laughed at.

I never laugh.

I have your face.
I hold your pain.

I hold your fears.
I don't want to;

I never wanted to,
and yet, I hold them anyways.

Despite the way
the weight of them break down my bones,
my soul,
my spirit.

I hold them anyway

because to be strong
and resilient
and firm
are all things you taught me

and yet
with the slightest word
or the flip of a hand

I am weak
and suddenly
I am nothing more
than the child

to whom you gave your face