We Haven’t Said NO Enough

I wrote this poem about my own realization that while I was by no means blaming myself for what had happened, I had perhaps not said NO enough. Maybe this was due to having a lot of empathy (see my post on Super Traits). I wanted a poem that gave me permission to stand in that definite NO much more in my life.

we haven’t said NO enough
we’ve often said
they didn’t really mean it
they are only expressing themselves
it’s
just
words

we didn’t say NO enough

we haven’t said NO enough
we’ve reached into our empathy
and said they must be wounded
they are stressed or hurt
they can grow and change
it’s
just
their
damaged
inner child

we didn’t say NO enough

we haven’t said NO enough
we’ve said but I need this job
this house
this family
they hold the strings of power
so what harm in
playing along
it’s
just
the game

we haven’t said NO enough

we haven’t stood as tall as we are
both shielded and open
watching the world
with eyes that see things clearly
and said NO

NO I will not be spoken to like that
NO your wounds or stress do not excuse you
NO my soul is not worth whatever I think you can give me

NO

NO NO NO NO NO

~Ann Betz