Declaration

I know what you're thinking.
You think this is typical me
an outburst of emotion,
Something quick to fade,
Merely temporary.
I know my past too often agrees
I have too often
Suffered abuse at the hands
Of those I cared for
willingly
Eating up their lies.
Then forgiven
And accepted more.
But circumstances can break people
Or show them how to be strong.
Here this now,
My declaration.
Never again will I pretend
The way you treat me
Doesn't hurt
Or that it is fine.
I am not an out dated gadget
you can toss aside and forget.
I am here and I will use my voice
to remind you
that I am still here
and you cannot throw me away
like last night's leftover pizza.
You were my friend
So I thought
But never again
Will you tread on me
With no consequence.
But this declaration is not
For your ears alone.
Let the world know.

Forgive the cliché,
But it is the truth,
I'm a lover not a fighter.
But don't think that means
I won't stand up
For all that I believe.
Never again
Will I let you
Walk all over me
Without a word
Without protest.
I won't allow you
To get away with murder
Not this time.
This time I'll speak my mind
And mark my words
For I am done turning a blind eye.

Don't misunderstand
This doesn't mean I don't care
But I have self-respect
And this time I'm going to stand for it.
I'll keep my integrity thanks.
If that means goodbye
Then so be it,
That's your choice.
All I'm asking for
Is a little respect,
The common decency I'm due.
If you can't deal with that
I guess we're through.
Life keeps on rolling
I'll keep on going
Learning more
With every step I take
Every choice I make
But this here
Isn't going anywhere
It's a change in me
It's a part of me
This time for real.