I’m tired of pretending—

this ache is never-ending.

I try and I try,

day after day,

but no matter how hard,

it all stays the same.

It doesn’t matter what I do

or how much I fight—

to you,

I’ll always be that little girl

I know I’ve made mistakes.

I tried to make them right.

But you hold them like weapons,

swinging them in spite.

You’re disappointed—I see.

I’m not who you wanted me to be.

But it shouldn’t matter

that I’m different.

It shouldn’t matter

that I’m me.

You should love me anyway,

down to the roots of my psyche.

Instead,

you weigh me down,

press me into silence,

smother my light.

And I’m done crying.

Done breaking.

This time—

I’m not sad.

This time—

I burn.

No more bending.

No more ache.

Only flame.

Only fight.

Only me,

Finally unshaken.