Tell Her I'm Sorry (A Letter To My Brother)

Dear brother I have one last request,
one last wish I need you to grant me.
My words won't reach beyond the grave,
so please tell mom I'm sorry.

Tell her I'm sorry for life's cruelty.
I shouldn't have been her daughter.
And that I'm sorry my grades weren't perfect.
I should have been smarter.

Tell her I'm sorry I wasn't my sisters,
that I didn't turn out as she hoped I would.
I couldn't help that I was different,
but I don't feel remorse like I know I should.

Tell her I'm sorry that I was so lazy.
I should've worked harder.
I should've been up early scrubbing the floors.
Maybe then I would've pleased her.

Tell her I'm sorry she always had to yell,
that my presence made life so tough.
But mostly just say that I always loved her,
and I'm sorry I was never good enough.

written 4-19-06

(c) Mary Barren