From the moment I emerged from my mother's womb
You cut the cord and held me tight, lovingly
Though a bit too strong for my comforts.
What happened? Do you no longer trust me,
No longer listen? Have you listened since 9/11,
When those cries on screen let you know of change?
Salary halved, pensions lost, worries found, stress doubled.
You've always been controlling, though, certain
That what you say is always right and there's only one way.

Let's see. You're on-edge, conservative, and believe
That nothing is stronger than hard work.
I'm relaxed, liberal, and believe that hard work
Only works when guided by intelligent insight.
And by "liberal" I don't mean the political philosophy
But its original meaning, open-minded, and by
'Conservative' I only mean that new ideas take decades to
Germinate in your lightless mind. So when I got
Depression, your world was thrown upside down. Denial,
Anger, acceptance flew through your mind, though for me
It felt like absolutely forever. You blamed me for it,
And now you say I'm lying when I tell you it's still there.

Arguing is futile, although you're wrong about a lot.
You contradict yourself so often that I'm left running
In circles, at first trying against hope to please you,
Now just struggling to stay afloat in the churning seas.
"Sometimes I feel like there's not much important
In the world, not much worth living for. Then I
Have a really good time with a friend or on a date
And my mind is changed. A job adds to the mindless routine that
Births apathy in my mind. THAT's why I don't want one."
I bared my heart to you, and all you say is "I have to go."

I know it must be hard if your mind is so closed
To believe in things you've never seen before. But
Try to believe, for my sake, that I'm telling the
Truth. I've always been intelligent, Dad, and I
Hesitate before saying it anyway, more intelligent
Than you. Leave me alone to live my life how I need,
And I'll leave you alone to live yours. Please. "Never."

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary
For a person to dissolve the bonds that held him to another,
And to establish a more perfect lifestyle without your
Constant sarcastic oversight or perfectionist commentary,
A decent respect for the opinions of humankind is something
That person probably does not have. I think that's a good thing.

You'd think you'd be proud that I have the confidence
To secede from tyranny and build my own life.
I'm getting straight A's, but you claim you pushed me.
I'm a kind person, but you claim I'm insufferable.
I've learned a lot, but you claim I know nothing.
You've always been wrong, but never apologized.
Explain to me how, the more I break away from you,
The more fulfilled I feel. Maybe different lives
Are better for different people? No? Just a thought.

I know it's difficult living in these changing days.
When knowledge is sufficiently advanced that
Dictatorships can be usurped by the Internet or
A curious mind and a library. Unfortunately,
You aren't really a dictator, just a really strict
Dad. So no formal Declaration is needed, just
A few parting words and a grin.

I still love you, Dad. But go screw yourself.