Rage

Don't tell me who I am
don't tell me what I need
Just because you know my name
doesn't mean you can claim
my challenges,
my pain.

Don't tell me what to do
don't mock my weaknesses
Just because I talk to you
doesn't mean my energy
my heart
are yours.

Don't pretend to listen
I can see it in your blank eyes
that what I say
doesn't matter to you anyhow.

Let it go, let it go,
I belong to me,
so, if you want to, if you care
take my hand, gently, and

Listen, listen!
To my silence, to my tears,

And then I will feel justified
in sharing not just my physics
but my soul, my me!

Trudi Ralston
January 9th, 2013.

I wrote this poem for all those times that relationships with spouses, friends, neighbors, friends, children, in laws, people in general, drive us nuts with their addiction to control. Back off!!