Poem: Tough Love

Being a cheerleader
can be so exhausting.
It's hard to keep up a flagging spirit
from going on a downward spiral.

Last night
I put my foot down.
Looked her in the eye
and said:

"I'll always be here for you.
I can help you if you need it
But I can't do it alone
You have to work at it too.

"I can be supportive
but if all you do is
whine and complain
there's not much I can do.

"If you refuse to be helped
then I cannot help you.
If you don't take responsibility
don't be surprised if you fail."

There was the usual
hemming and hawing
but I could see
the message sink in loud and clear.

The only one who can do it is you.
I can be your guide
but when you need someone
to put a foot in your arse...

...that someone will be me.

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