I wish
I knew what to say
to alleviate
your pain, anger, and irritation

I felt it
Down deep
Into my core
That twinge of
understanding and sadness

I see
how close you are
To losing it
In your mind
The never-ending battle
with believing
you'll never be good enough

I am a child
A teen
An insignificant figure
Compared to your
father

I could tell you
That I don't
believe him
I could tell you
To take it
But not believe it

What would that do?
Would it help in the slightest?
Because I believe
that you are
a good person
you love what you do
So why
should you care
what he says?

I'm sorry
That you don't agree
If you don't believe
why do you let it
affect you?

You tell me
that there is nothing
I can do or say
to help you; to
Get rid of all
That haunts you
I believe that there
Is something I can do
I think you do too

You don't wish
To burden me
Because I feel it
You're afraid
Maybe not a lot
But I know it's there
I could ask you
to tell me
What I can do
But I fear
It will do no good
for you have locked
yourself up

You need the compliment
To know you're good
I say you are
But you won't believe me
Because I am so small
Compared to what has
placed doubt
Inside you

If I believe it
Then you should too
I see things differently
This you know
So why do you let it
hurt so bad
When I so readily
Disagree?

I care
So listen to me
I like who you
have come to be
Nothing can change that
I wouldn't want you
If you were
different
from who you are
Take that in mind
Because you know
I believe it
Because I care

At any time you need
When it seems everything
Is against you
No one cares
Pushing through
Is hard
Always know
I have a few
comforting words
To say to you

Like the three
Swirling in my head
When you are ready
Ask me to speak
Whisper them soft
Just to you
When only you can hear
know I care
because . . .