POEM: “RESPECT.” 📝

It took a long time to get here

And some days I want to go back.

Back to the days when life was easy

Or how it was supposed to be.

Sometimes I want to start over,

Become a different person,

Anything to not face reality.

Because in reality I am hurting.

In reality, I am lost.

My eyes no longer full–

of wonder and suspense;

of happiness or joy.

of hope and inspiration.

The only sacred place

That I should feel safe–

Is in my mind…

But in my mind

All my dreams run to hide

My vision curls up and dies

No thought is safe here

Painful thoughts flood in

Like a motion picture show

Playing on a loop in my brain

Dare I not speak about it…

But, I want RESPECT!

I demand with every ounce of my being

With every tremble of my bones.

This pain is mine to own

Yet you still try to rob me.

Every day you tell me I’m nothing

And every day I fight to not believe it.

There aren’t enough apologies,

That you could give to me

I have always had to prove my worth.

I want RESPECT!

I cast out to the wind,

I shake my fist in agony.

I want RESPECT!

I want to feel whole again

To accept the voice inside me,

To call her by name

To know she is right,

And to call her mine.

© 2017 N.M