inconspicuous

protecting liar

she used to tell me stories
terrible ones they were
that almost kept me up past my supposed bedtime

she disguised the people as made-up characters
thinking that i didn't — and never would – know
that the stories were all about
h e r p a s t.

she used to clean up the house so f l a w l e s s l y
i once asked, 'how?'
she shook her head and smiled
as she said that it's easy to do

little did she know
i've tried before
and i ended up making a fool of myself

i didnt b e l i e v e her
that day.

she used to have a sad look on her face
e v e r y time she called a man
she called my f a t h e r

she used to see my concerned face
and say, 'don't worry
it's n o - o n e.'
i didnt believe her that time, either.

years later,
she lied to me again.
she said she'd be okay.
i'd be okay.

now her promise will forever be broken,
because i will n e v e r know
what she truly thought.

-
to all loving mothers. we love you.