"Transactional Love"

 

 
 

A matriarch
Dead eyes behind false smiles
With hugs that suffocate
She demands reciprocity
Mother’s love contains conditions
Which child adores her?
Places her above all
Kneels before her in supplication
Begging for love  
 

A patriarch

Cold heart behind deceitful charm
With praise that stabs
He commands compliance
Father’s love requires accomplishments
Which child shines brightest?
Gives him parental status
Rises before him with conceit
Pleading for attention 

Copyright 2024 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

"Pissing Contest"

 

Hard and broken men

Boys encouraged to only win
            even if they cheat
as teens their acid words begin
            wrapped in bold deceit
first wives selected as breeders
            preference for a son
second wives are ego feeders
            to the  Golden One
third wives enhance affluence
            and erase aging fears
not one person can influence
             their lying veneers 
Mamma loves the neediest best
            if he loves her most
her attention is a contest
            won by lying boasts
Daddy hungers for bragging rights
            on their gaudy stuff
he binds his praise to dark, not light
            can there be enough
as adults they hate each other
            and they still compete
to demoralize each brother
            to spoil and defeat
           
 
Copyright 2024 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman
  

“Pissing Contest”

 

Hard and broken men

Boys encouraged to only win
            even if they cheat
as teens their acid words begin
            wrapped in bold deceit
first wives selected as breeders
            preference for a son
second wives are ego feeders
            to the  Golden One
third wives enhance affluence
            and erase aging fears
not one person can influence
             their lying veneers 
Mamma loves the neediest best
            if he loves her most
her attention is a contest
            won by lying boasts
Daddy hungers for bragging rights
            on their gaudy stuff
he binds his praise to dark, not light
            can there be enough
as adults they hate each other
            and they still compete
to demoralize each brother
            to spoil and defeat
           
 
Copyright 2024 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman