I am not what you think I am <br />I am not the tall, forceful woman making the <br />Decisions o her own mind and body <br />I am a young girl takin advantage of <br />By the world in which I live <br />I am a victim of a complication of the brain <br />Not the complecation vitimizing you <br />I am neither the sticks nor the stones <br />I am the skinney bones you found me as <br />Because names and images can hurt me <br /> <br />I am not the cargo ship <br />I am the package that was enclosed, <br />Stamped, and shipped away <br />I am not the knife that cut into your finger <br />While you were preparing our food <br />I am the cucumber sliced into pieces <br /> <br />I am not the tornado <br />I am not the storm <br />I am the house spinning out of control <br />The windows drenched in rain <br /> <br />I am not the teacher <br />I am the student <br /> <br />Dad, I know that your blood vessels are enflamed <br />Your muscles frozen, when someon etries to hurt me <br />But enemies aren't always tangible <br /> <br />You once pushed me on the swings, but now <br />I have to make it to the top on my own <br />Dad, you have to guide me with the <br />Gentle warmth of your fingers wrapped <br />Around mine, not the forcefulness of your <br />Palms against my shoulders <br /> <br />Dear Dad, please continue to learn <br />How to love me <br />I love you<br /><br />Brie Carter<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dear-dad-10/
