I will let you pull away

 

When you were young and headstrong, confident and decisive, you could fight me and never relent. Flippant decisions, just refuse to compromise, easily filled me with instant regret. 

I didn't learn quickly, could not see inimitable you, thought I could mold and hold you, just to my will, bent. 

Small yet too strong, the will of a woman child sized, your brilliance too often caught me by surprise. 

My planning fell to pieces when I gave you the choices, predicting that I would easily win. 

I watched your thoughts calculate all the options, then choose, aware of consequences and red faced with chagrin. 

I had given permission, a misstep on my part, though I knew the game play and rules, I misunderstood how you would begin. 

And you followed through, step by step, having committed to your plan, I was flummoxed and floundered in place. 

I felt beaten, and lost, embarrassed and insecure, wanting to be angry as I watched your little face.