The Terrible Gift

The Terrible Gift

by GeminiGem🐾



It was an unwitting gift
from my mother’s mother,
a woman whose time ended
before my time began.

It was an unwanted gift
with terrible powers;
to break my loved one’s heart,
to break our bank account,
to break my spirit,
to break my very existence.

First stunned, completely numb.
Next helpless and scared as a lost child.
Then a lightning strike of anger.
Why me?
How do I survive this?
What if I don’t?

I want to run away and hide,
I want to stay and fight.

I want to cry every tear there is,
I want to tell my very best jokes.

I want to scream until my throat is raw,
I want to sit in silent contemplation.

I want everyone to know I am hurting,
I want to keep it to myself.

Most of all, I want to return the terrible gift.