Co-parenting in peace,

until I heard her cries and pleas….

You, a boy I thought I would always know, Us forever linked as our baby girl grows.

As kids, our story began at fourteen, You — the rebel bad boy, and I — the cheerleading queen.

Only having each other, we conjoined at the hip, So possessive, so angry, always anticipating when you would flip.

I hid your abuse — I was always the one wrong, The more threatened you became, the more I grew strong.

Comfortable young love, I thought I would stay, With growth and maturity, my love for you faded away.

You; complacent, angry, strict, and stern, I, warm and bright-eyed, goal-oriented, wanting for more — I yearned.

I was looking for an out — a way to be free, Your temper mixed with pills and alcohol gave it to me.

I left for the attention of another, feared being alone, Not without sin, but I did not cast the first stone.

New liberated femininity, Intoxicating renewed vitality,

Feeling bright and bold — like I perfect ten, Never have I felt better, the best I have ever been!

Blooming career, back to school, God didn’t forget me — my destiny, not meant to be cruel.

Remaining friends, co-parenting in peace, Nothing else mattered, just her, our masterpiece.

Owning all of the parenting but allowing half of your say, Always being fair, putting her first at the end of each day.

My tongue bit in half, my chin made of brick, For her remaining silent but thinking boy — you ain’t slick.

For fifteen years, I avoided court, Asking for not a single dollar of child support.

Now at sixteen, our baby girl begs me, “Mom, they are toxic and controlling — I’m trapped and need to be free!”

Each visit brings tears, stuck in her room, “PLEASE take me away — I’ll appeal to the courtroom.”

“A few visits a month to see my siblings grow, I tried so hard — I have to let go.”

“He is closed-minded and stubborn — this is our only option, I can mentally heal if I am not there so often!”

Over twenty years of friendship, yet we are here, I was your first love, the mother of your firstborn — yet it is my name you smear.

You are hurting her — she begs me to take her away, Please agree to our compromise, or you won’t see her another day.

Attorneys involved, contempt of court, I will protect her at all costs and have filed for financial support.

I am saddened by how far you have lost your way, You need help and guidance — for your healing, I’ll pray.

As for our girl, I should have made this choice for her years ago, Choosing for herself now — at what expense, I am fearful to know.