You Have The Power (Poetry)

Sometimes they call it

compassion fatigue.

I call it trying to morph myself—

constantly.

To be smaller

and gentler,

a more digestible thing,

when my fire is raging

and my voice

yearns

to sing.

I’m exhausted from trying

to lessen myself,

to sand down my edges

and lower my crown.

“You’re too much”

“You’re intense”

“You’re too direct”

“You’re too sharp”

“You’re too confident”

“You’re too strong”

“Baby—

YOU’RE TOO MUCH”

“You’re so full

of yourself”

“You don’t deserve

what you’ve earned”

“People only like you

because they don’t know

what I‘ve learned”

Don’t come near the fire

if the heat is too hot.

Unfollow.

Unfriend.

It’s not all that hard.

I’m open to criticism.

I do want to grow.

But this fire

inside me

is a part of the show.

It should be evident by now

that I live passionately.

I burn the candle

at both ends,

at all times,

so it seems.

When I feel hurt—

When I feel unsafe—

My fire

will burst

to push others away.

From this moment on

I will let that blaze rage.

Let it repel

all of those

who can’t handle

my flame.

I’m not contorting myself

to please anymore.

I am a woman.

This is my ROAR.

Do my words

strike like knives?

Do my eyes

invoke fear?

Am I intimidating

or are you intimidated,

dear?

I fuel up myself

because no one else will.

I place the crown on my head

made of thorns

forged in hell.

I am not here

to cater to you.

I’m an artist.

A writer.

A poet.

(It’s true).

I am here, however,

to cause paradigm shifts.

I’m here

to shine light

on society’s rifts.

Am I just cocky?

An egotistical fuck?

I am

whatever

you believe

I am, love.

I’m here

to cause tension.

I’m here

to cause growth.

Which means I will push you

from your comfort zone.

I don’t do this to harm you.

I do it because

you are so much more capable

than you believe you are,

love.

You have the power

just as I do.

To be where I am—

or somewhere else

that you choose.

I can’t make you follow

the map I outline.

I can’t make you believe

that this too,

you can find.

But as you journey

through hell,

my soul

won’t leave your side,

no matter how many insults

you launch at my shrine.

You—

You are worthy.

You—

You are strong.

You—

You can do this.

You—

You belong.

My strength

it will challenge you,

but I’m not giving up.

I’m stepping back

because I can’t help you,

my love.

But I do know your heart.

I do know your soul.

You’re so much more capable

than even you know.

So don’t run from the fire.

Don’t run from yourself.

You—

You are worthy.

You—

You are loved.

You have the power

to change

your course.