Respect

I can see clearly you are shouldering your pain; I understand it deeply because I've to seen the rain.

As I watch you struggle your body language is clear, yourself worth battered reduced down to fear.

I watch how your lips move while singing your tune, but it's your eyes that I'm seeing that's not matching your truth.

I know that you're hurting I'm not blind to see, the light that is your beauty even though you don't believe.

I've been through my own trenches with lessons to bare, I've been good and I've been bad and my help I will share.

I want to hold your hand through the ups and the downs, I want to be the person who helps you smile when all you can do is frown.

I want to be your friend in the times you need a shoulder, and the ear you can talk to when your world is feeling colder.

I want to hold you in my presence with the highest regard and in the times you forget reminding you of who you are.

I want to be your truth bringer when you're not being the best that you can be, and I have no issue in proving that you can trust me.

I want to forgive you in the times you slip up because regardless of what you been through, I want to show you love.

Because I am also human and can understand mistakes and believe people can change with the willingness it takes.

But I need you to understand that I am also a person whose feelings are real and have expectations now that protect how I feel.

Because I also have my own light that I'm healing to shine, and my help that I offer isn't for you to suck dry.

I'm willing to be the 80/20 in your time of need but I respectfully ask you to do the same for me.

I refuse to continue to pour from an empty cup, so every time I need you to also want to fill mine up.

If this is a request that is too much for you to share, then I'm going to have to ask you to not pretend you care.

I understand to well what it means to have my light stolen, I've cried so many tears that have made my eyes swollen.

For my kindness has been weakness it's just who I am, but not at the cost of barrening my own vibrant land.

So, if you step towards me you need to know I'm not the same, for reciprocity now is something I'll ask with no shame.

For I have done the work and now understand my own worth, it's something I've been fighting for since the day of my birth.

So, step to my table please have a seat, but if you drain me of my energy my kindness you won't meet.

Some will call it toxic to project my own truth, but it's my peace I'll hold close and how you choose to react is on you.

For I will not dim my light to make you feel safe, especially if you have no respect to treat me the same.