Misunderstood (Written for my daughter... Kasey LaRaine, 4-8-2006)

She’s so confused, and misunderstood...
She’s been abused - and she is so good.
She wants someone, to hold her hand...
to cuddle her - and understand.

She wants a hug hello... and a hug goodbye -
and maybe a kiss just because.
But she needs to know that he’s an ally -
more like the way that it was.

They got so close... and she gave in -
to that romantic desire.
And I suppose, one day, they will again -
rekindle that same fire.

But - for now - she needs to be sure...
She needs to know the love is pure.
To prove to herself, without obligation,
that love will be there, without reservation.

She needs time to grow, time to heal -
time to know that the love is real.
She is misunderstood... this is true -
and misunderstands herself sometimes, too.

She can’t explain what it is that she needs...
And she curses and cries and begs and pleads.
But what she needs, is a true love that can spend -
time with her, “just as a friend”.

(For Kasey, Love Mom)