Never Again

I plant my feet firm on this ground And declare with every breath in my body— Never again. Never again will I shrink myself To fit into spaces not built for my expansion. Never again will I dim my light To make others comfortable in their darkness. Listen— My body remembers every time I said "yes" when I meant "no." My spirit carries the weight of every boundary I failed to set. My heart bears the scars of each person I allowed to take Without ever giving back. So today I whisper, then speak, then shout: Never again. I am learning that self-care isn't selfish. It's the sacred act of tending to a garden long neglected, Pulling weeds of doubt planted by those Who were threatened by my potential bloom. I am understanding that healing Isn't always gentle streams and soft landings. Sometimes it's the thunder clap of "enough!" Sometimes it's walking away from the table Where I was always hungry but never fed. I am remembering that my worth Was never found in their validation. It was always here, crawling beneath my skin, Waiting for me to listen closer. So I sever ties with places that cage me, Let corrupt opinions fade out until they no longer phase me With voices that diminish me, With people who love the parts of me they've invented But resent who I truly am. And when they ask why I've changed, When they wonder where the version of me went That always bent to breaking— I will stand tall in my truth and say: Because I've made a promise to the child in me Who deserved protection. To the dreamer in me who deserved space. To the lover in me who deserved reciprocity. Never again will I betray myself For temporary peace. Never again will I accept crumbs When I deserve the feast. Never again will I apologize For taking up the space my soul requires. This is my boundary. This is my healing. This is my declaration. And I speak it into existence with each breath: Never. Again.