Comme Il Faut

I told you ‘yes,’
though what I meant was:
‘I want to belong.’
I tried to guess
all that was required of me
as I followed along.

I wanted you to know
that I could be
just like all the rest.
I put on quite a show
trying to prove
I wasn’t merely second best.

You took all that I had,
while making me believe
I was the one.
But, for you, I was just a fad;
a little fool to be discarded
when you were done.

I found myself saying ‘yes’
to many who followed
throughout the years.
For far too long, I confess,
my desperate need to belong
outweighed my fears.

Now, saying ‘yes’ is my way
of showing I am strong:
I value my propriety.
I begin each day
knowing I am in control:
I finally belong to me.

Lora Frikken ~ June 18, 2004