I had to part ways with Eric,

He left amidst our clash,
Staying silent would have meant surrender,
Giving my power away.
Would that submission have been forever,
Or merely a shifting tide?
Judy says he’s controlling,
And perhaps she’s right.
His desires dictate our actions,
Ignoring others' dreams,
Even his own wishes.

The family, a machine,
A lesson learned from Eric,
To stall its wheels,
One must cease their role.
My task, to advocate for the oppressed,
Yet, I must pause,
To avoid the weight of disdain.

Work is a battlefield,
The new colleague brimming with bravado,
At first, it felt bearable,
Now, he resists my guidance,
Others possess the resources,
In this new curriculum's embrace,
Next year, I’ll share my crafted slides,
For now, I forge ahead without.

A new science teacher admires me,
Wants to emulate my path,
Yet a parent’s complaint lingers,
Accusing me of a liberal agenda,
For speaking truths of history,
Power corrupts, I believe,
Seen in the stories of wives confined,
Abuse born from unchecked control.

My counselor reminds me,
Stand firm against Aaron,
Backing down only deepens the wound,
Boundaries must be set,
A balance of power is crucial,
For safety to blossom.

Tonight, I spoke with Fiona,
A friend since childhood,
Memories of Mrs. Killian’s class,
Perhaps a visit will unfold,
California calls,
Though decades have passed since we met,
Pen pals with her sister,
A connection renewed.

Conversations with Joel,
Sharing burdens of evening shadows,
Offering suggestions met with resistance,
Books sent, love wrapped in pages,
Grateful he’s my son.

Now, I step away from this glow,
To the flickering light of the television,
To watch the tales of Sex and the City.

I’ve learned much from Eric,
And need to express that truth.

Earlier, a heaviness settled,
A hug sent, no reply received,
Worries of emotional games played,
Yet love remains,
A promise to find our way back,
Close companions, forever friends.
Could he be autistic?
A thought crosses my mind.
Perhaps anger drives him away,
Just as it once consumed Aaron,
Leaving scars upon my heart.