Saying Goodbye- For Now

(Death of a Parent)
by Cheryl Merrick

How can I say goodbye?
This is too soon.
I'm not ready to live
without you.
How can I go on
without your support?

You, who have unfailingly been there
loving and supporting me,
have left an emptiness in my life
where you have always been.

When I look into the mirror,
how can I not be filled with 
reminiscences of you?
How can I not see reflected 
the heritage you have given me?

Two Voices

by Cheryl Merrick

I am in my teens, I am - well much older
and a daughter. and her mother.
Sometimes I miss being a Sometimes I miss my little girl
child and being taken care of, And taking care of her,
But mainly I want to grow up. But most of the time I wish she’d act more grown up.
I wonder when she will ever     I wonder when she will accept
allow me more freedom? more responsibility?

 What does she expect of me?

She is so frustrating!

Control

by Cheryl Merrick

“You must do this!”
the mother declares,
her face white with fear,
as she desperately attempts
to steer her daughter’s unruly ship
through the treacherous
waters of teenage hood.

Near exhaustion,
she cries out for strength
and is answered by the
Master of the Seas.
“Let Go!
 You are not meant to steer,
but to light her way.
Only your daughter can
manage her own ship.”