Dear Jessica Brennan,
In honour of your birthday, I wrote you this. I love you.
When you get as old as me
There’s not much that you haven’t seen
Rich guys acting like old fools
Mean kids like you meet at school
Rock stars wearing angel’s wings
Roadies tryin’ to be kings
The smartest heirs of easy street
Being more than indiscreet
People starting out with heartache
Who turn it into light
And people starting out with wonder
Who lose it in the fight
I’ve seen hatred coming out of fear
And selfless acts brought me to tears
I’ve heard my own drum in my head
Forsaken it because of dread
I’ve heard voices proud and empty
From souls who worship treasure
And when I tried to really reach them
Just heard more greedy blether
I’ve watched the mighty tumble down
And seen the wounded soar
I’ve viewed it from the heights of joy
And from the bathroom floor
I’ve been beaten. I’ve been mad
Tested, shamed, tortured, sad
I’ve won a lot more than I’ve lost
But winning brings with it a cost
I’ve been wrong more than I’m right
And defended it with all my might.
Eaten crow, swallowed pride
Given up, let down the side.
I’ve loved with fervor in my heart
Then licked my wounds and hit re-start
Felt deep pain, denied my tears
Hidden out for many years
I’ve mocked the moon
And cursed the sun
I’ve had moments when I thought
“We’re done”.
I’ve fought and cried, struggled, lied
Walked away; almost died
Been the subject of deceit
Thought I couldn’t bear the heat
I’ve known despair and I’ve known pain
And then I’ve known it all again
And so my darling girl you see
Your secret’s always safe with me
So when you think “How can I start…
…to say what’s heavy on my heart”
Dear Jess, know this about your mum
I’ve seen it all, and then some
Love,
Mum xo
