I am sorry we brought you up
To believe that someone would always
Clear up after you. That we didn’t
Teach you to embrace tears, and work
On words. I am sorry we divided
Our roles so completely that you thought
Growing up was leaving home
To the women. I am sorry we showed you off
As an object of economic status and worth
Until that became your identity. I am sorry
We didn’t negotiate tasks so you could see
What it takes to build a home, or a family.

I am sorry the needs of one of us
Always took precedence over the other.
And that we called it care.