I crave the affection of a mother that no longer exists, the mom that gave me baths, the mom that tickled my feet and cracked my toes, the mom that sang itsy bitsy spider to make me laugh, the mom who held my hand to cross the road, the mom whose arms felt like home. But you're not her anymore. You're the mom who protected an abuser, the mom who threw away her family for gambling, the mom that told me I should've killed myself, the mom I spent years trying to connect with, the mom who never opened her arms and heart to let me in, the mom that never showed love but showed hatred. I miss you, but the you I miss isn't here anymore. She died a long time ago.