I should’ve called you out sooner
But I didn’t
I let it slide
And just this once turned into all the time
I should’ve said no to those many requests
But I didn’t
I pleased you
And the weight grew til I filled to overwhelmed
I should’ve faced the discomfort in tense moments
But I didn’t
I couldn’t do it
And the energy stayed in my body, turning its hand to dark deeds
I should’ve said yes and had an adventure
But I didn’t
I stayed at home
Where life passed me by, and my bright light dimmed
I should’ve listened to my intuition in fleeting drops of clarity
But I didn’t
I couldn’t trust it
And those things I didn’t do came crashing back to haunt me
I should’ve, but I didn’t
Then death came to show me why I must
So I did
I swung too hard, and you said I overreacted
But I did it
And it felt good
The tension exploding from my body
I said no, and you resented me for a while
But I did it
And it showed
As my face began to soften and my laughter returned
I called you out and showed you my line
I did it
I held it
And my life became my own
– Rhonda McCrimmon