Inheritance

A poem about things I got from my parents

From my father, I inherited a bad back
And a worse temper

From my mother, I inherited a mood disorder
And addiction issues

From my father, the need for company
And fear of being in a crowd

From my mother, the need for solitude
And fear of being left alone

I got my mother’s love of a good party
Even when it was long past time to leave

I got my father’s love of a good deal
Even at the cost of time and relationships

My taste of fashion is from my dad
My taste of music is from my mom
So the stuff I own is second-hand
Outdated, and full of holes

As years pass
As nature circles nurture
As a tragic comedy plays out
In which the ending threatens to reveal
That the monster, all along, was me

I begin to see the truth
Of what life put them through
Of what, in turn, they put me through
And that we’re all going through this
For the very first time

For years, I hated them
For reasons I hated myself
Scrutinizing their worst
While ignoring their best

My father’s laugh
My mother’s smile
My father’s wisdom
My mother’s patience

His loyalty
Her playfulness
His curiosity
Her creativity

Pop’s resourcefulness
Mom’s open-mindedness
Both of their vanity
And their pride

Their honor
Their mischief
Their charity
Their truth

It wasn’t until I understood them
That I could accept them

It wasn’t until I accepted them
That I could forgive them

It wasn’t until I forgave them
That I could love them

Two people caused so much pain
But at the same time
In spite of flaws
Loved me just the same

It wasn’t until I loved them
That I could finally love myself




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