dearly beloved
we are gathered here today
to say goodbye to
the me who didn’t say no
the me that couldn’t say no
the hands over my mouth
the side turned eyes and sneered up lips
we say goodbye to
the disappointed sighs
and the are you fucking kidding mes
we say goodbye to the screaming
and hiding
and shrinking myself away
we say goodbye to
the me that never knew she mattered
because no one thought to tell her until
it was far too late
dearly beloved
we are here to say fuck off
good luck
good riddance
no thank you
and never again
we are here to say
that the me I was planting
and watering
and tending and mending is here
that I’m here
and she never has to cower again