But you didn't

Remember the time you lent me
your car and I dented it?
I thought you'd kill me.
But you didn't.

Remember the time I forgot to tell you
the dance was formal, and you came in jeans?
I thought you'd hate me.
But you didn't.

Remember the time I'd flirt with other boys
just to make you jealous, and you were?
I thought you'd drop me.
But you didn't.

There were plenty of things you did
to put up with me, to keep me happy,
to love me, and there are so many things I wanted
to tell you when you returned from Vietnam.
But you didn't.

"Merill Glass"
(An American High School pupil)