Respect

Miss Franklin once said RESPECT find out what it means to me 
And when  I first heard it as a little girl, how powerful that was I didn’t see  
But as I experience people who take me for granted
And wish all the feelings ,love ,loyalty and time I’ve given could be recanted
I recognise the meaning of the words she sang 
 It radiates Self worth self pride and girl god  dang !
The words you preach are heaven to my ears
They have been empowering me for years
Because recently I made a choice to give  someone more than they deserved 
A space in my life and heart was reserved 
But all they did was not appreciate the things I gave 
Cheated , lied ,betrayed me and even then I still forgave 
But that forgiveness didn’t mean a thing either 
As he still felt the need to ring her 
Even though he told me she didn’t matter and about her he  didn’t care 
That she wasn’t special  and he  actually before it didn’t even know her 
Turns out his expectations of what he accepts compared to  mine are lower 
 he  would tell me he loved me I was special and important and that he made a  huge mistake 
Turns out that was all lies and for his own sake 
Because he continued to take advantage of the forgiveness I’d given 
Whilst still trying to keep  things hidden 
But that’s not respect and he clearly doesn't understand the meaning 
Discontent is all he leaves me feeling 
Love can turn to hate real quick when  Respect isn’t shared 
To think he was a person who I once for cared 
So when respect isn’t served then it’s time to find me gone 
 Don’t worry… respectfully I’m already movin on 
These are your mistakes , you only  have yourself to  blame
I hope you one day  look back and feel the  shame 
Because I did nothing wrong 
But love you all along so 
It’s your loss not mine as what have I lost exactly 
A man who disrespected me , lied to me , cheated , and showed no appreciation and showed me no Respect .. Well That’s hardly satisfactory 
I guess RESPECT you should find out what it means to me 
And when you figure it out do me a favour
Just leave me be !
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

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