Declaration

This is my breath to take.

There are so many wounds that I could blame
on you.
So many private hurts that I could lay on
your shoulders.
And perhaps stating that here is my way of doing just that.

But.

This is my breath to take.
You do not get to take away the things you tried to ruin.
You do not get to hurt me any more.
I am not your property, and I am not
responsible for you.

This is MY breath to take.

And I will no longer blame you
for what I allowed.
I will no longer allow
the things for which you were blamed
to go on
and on
ad nauseum,
oh no.
This is the end of that.

Go and breathe your air and enjoy
what freedoms you are given.
Breathe deeply and hold close the moments you once lived.
Breathe shallowly and contemplate what lies ahead.
But above all, breathe what is yours, and take no more.

This is my breath to take.