​She is the one who comes to collect your teeth
She is the lies your parents tell you so you’ll go to sleep
She is a glorified grave robber
And only you growing up can stop her

She convinces you tear out your bones
So her addiction to you may fester
She only comes when you’re asleep and alone
But you can never request her

She takes your bones to remember this stage
And keeps them in a pretty jar
You trade your bones for pocket change
Just so she’ll come wherever you are

But it is all a beautiful lie
To keep unruly children in their beds
And so for the rest of your life
She will forever be in your head

Not because you’re afraid
But because you were smothered
Not because she stayed
But because she’s your mother

MARILYN McCOTTRELL