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.