“Because I said so” began the fall of “no”
… choking me back down my throat
Contemplating mind wasn’t part of the scope
“Do as told,” “Speak when spoken to,”
“Follow this list of don’ts and do’s”…
fashioned my feet for someone else’s shoes
“Never shine too bright when here you roam”
“Save your perfection for those at home”
The frayed ghetto womb is where I’m from
“Good isn’t bad, but it’s never enough”
“Be more than you are, accepting and tough”
Love isn’t free… it comes with these cuffs
“Set the example,” “Failure’s not an option”
Every part of me sold at authority’s auction
before sense of self could begin construction
Always falling short of unconditional affection
“In the eyes of others” … my self-destruction
Heart on a platter for the world’s consumption
Departed the nest with a pleaser complex,
traversing society with a “YES” on my chest;
bringing everyone joy with my soul in distress
Burned both ends to offer more than my best
Lost control in self-inflicted duress
Lived for others, now let the spirit confess…
Sometimes saying “no” is a self-love test.
Challenge for Growth Prompt #4: Think Before Saying Yes or No
Nik's Place 
So many phrase you used I know so well! I love your take on this prompt. Just joining the challenge and I am now following you. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Annette! I am so pleased you are joining the group. I love Karuna’s prompts. I get so busy that I might not write at all without the nudges! I’m dreadfully behind on checking out other bloggers, but I’ll be sure to check your work out soon :).
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No worries just wanted to introduce myself… I have been unplugged now for 19 hrs…lol ugh that was hard! Lol….I look forward to seeing more from you!
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Thanks, Karuna. Always a pleasure!
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Pingback: Challenge for Growth Prompt #4: Think Before Saying Yes or No | Living, Learning and Letting Go
I experienced so many of those same phrases and attitudes as I grew up. You have described the process of how we lose ourselves so well. And I love your statement at the end. Thanks so much for your contribution to the challenge.
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