Learning to Offend

I have offended, and it feels damn good
Outgrown the need to be universally loved
I tender my resignation of the fruitless title
Of All-Out People-Pleaser
At the expense of myself and my dreams
My bent back shall flex no more
And I won’t apologize to your displeasure
At my new-found maturity and change
If ours was an equitable exchange relationship
You would cheer my growth and development
Instead of vent your utter indignation
At the new cheek that I have
To no longer cater to your whim and will
To think for myself and have my own opinion
My circle may become quite lean
But I’ll know the value of those that remain
Because they aren’t slighted in the least
By this positive expansion of my soul
That teaches me that I am allowed
To say no

Debbie Gravett © 2021.08.20

FOWC: Lean
RDP: Resignation
Image by Capri23auto from Pixabay