Haunting

What is it about a mother
that her will stays strong long after
it no longer matters.
After all, she’s gone!

Undermining will,
driving still to achieve easy praise,
avoiding risks,
afraid to seriously pursue
anything he wants.

The cord is gone,
—tied, cut, dried up, dropped off—
control hangs on,
demonstrated by his failure
to love.

Yes, of course, he knows
he will fail in whatever he tries.
She still tells him so.