Beautiful as I am

You were always right
I was always wrong
You were always big
I was always small
You mistook my kindness
for weakness,
but your cruelty didn't make
you strong; 
never let me speak so I learned
to carve myself in silence
writing words on the page instead
but then you didn't want
my silence either
just control—
I've found and reclaimed my voice
will not be a prisoner
of your nightmares or judgments
anymore
won't be fractured by your emotional abuse
because I am powerful, magical,
and beautiful just as I am;
even if you will never recognize that
I am more than my past,
and I am more than these wounds—
one day you will see
that you weren't right, after all,
but probably only when it's too late.

By Linda M. Crate

Twitter: thysilverdoe

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/Linda-M-Crate-129813357119547/