The Wrong Way

I've been meaning for months now to tell you

All the things that I know I should say

But to bring it up now will seem petty

And I know that you'll take it the wrong way

I can hear it before you have said it

You'll say, "I didn't mean it like that"

As I'm telling you you hurt my feelings

You'll tell me not to overreact

But I have known you better

Than you've known yourself

And if you cannot listen to me

How am I to help?

All the years that I spent second guessing

Every word that I wanted to say

Seeking out your approval and blessing

Hoping you wouldn't take it the wrong way

But I have known you better

Than you've known yourself

And if you cannot listen to me

How am I to help?

I am not your mother

I don't hold a stake

In your happiness anymore

You can leave or take every word that I say

But in forgetting history

Man is condemned to repeat his mistakes

So I'm sitting here writing a letter

With all the words that I know I should say to your face

Writing, knowing that I'll never send it

It's not worth having you take it the wrong way