You shared, with me, stories
Of the days of your youth…
About the ways of your dad,
How he was so uncouth…

How it affected your life,
And how it really hurt.
You craved his love, so badly,
But he treated you like dirt.

Then when you grew up
And moved out on your own…
You acted the way he did…
It was the only life you’d known.

You didn’t have a son to treat the way
That your dad treated you,
So you picked the closest person to pay
What you felt was your due.

I know you loved your dad
(Not sure if you told him so);
But, the lack of his affection,
Probably made you want to go.

Now the way you treat a loved one
Is how you try to even the score.
Can’t you see it doesn’t do that,
And it doesn’t make me love you more.

I had my own problems in life…
My dad died when I was young…
I never felt a father’s love, either,
Of which many songs are sung.

My step-dad couldn’t show love
His only love was work;
He made me feel like something
That had crawled out of the murk.

Mom filled many of my needs
Which I was grateful for,
But she didn’t stop his abusive ways,
And “I” wished I could even the score.

I spent most of my life thinking
I didn’t deserve very much;
But, after I got much older,
My brain kicked that into touch.

Now I KNOW “we” deserve better
(Why should we repeat what’s bad?)
Why pay for our parent’s mistakes?
(The dues make us feel too sad.)

Please open up your eyes, love…
Start to see what you have done.
We all have our own problems
From which we’d like to run.

If you want to keep someone
Who wants to keep you, too…
You should treat them with care,
Not like a worn-out shoe.