Be the Bigger Person - A Poem
*Reader Submission*
Be the bigger person.
Be the bigger person! Preaching
your sermon-you expect
me to faithfully follow?
Feeding me your concepts,
instruct me to serviceably
swallow and digest
your scrutiny. You force
my wounds to heal
and convince me that you
understand how I feel:
the hurt, the anger,
and the hopelessness
I bare.
Be the bigger person! You
claim to be fair and
sympathetic. You carry
no judgement and yet,
you crucify me cold
heartedly. Your
prosecutions strip
me bare, unjustly and
I’m left with new scars.
You degrade me and
blame me for your
ill behavior. You pressure
me to dress accordingly
and to not give in easily
but to not be unfriendly.
I must accommodate
company.
Be the bigger person! Be
the bigger person! You
capricious prick; you advocate
for my sanctity as you
continuously slut shame
me. I stand before you
bleeding dry. My fragile
body is covered in abrasions
by the knife on my side.
Self-inflicted wounds are
instigated by your lecturing
and your meddling.
Be the bigger person! That’s
highly unlikely. I’ve given up.
I’m left empty and unable
to fight back your hypocrisy.
The rope is far too small
and the drop too steep.
A forced duality that leaves
me condemned. I should
have liberty but I’m
limited by your inquisitions.
To be chastised when I
celebrate my sensuality. You
stare, objectify, and hate
me for your cardinal sin.
You declare that my looks
invite you in.
You be the bigger person!
You. Be. The. Bigger. Person.
Accept your insincerity and
take responsibility for your
actions. It’s your turn
to be held accountable.
My sexuality is not for
the highest bidder. I can’t
be owned nor be reduced by
your idiosyncrasy. Do not
confuse my compassion for
pleasurable yearning. Do
not label me and manipulate
me to make yourself
feel better. Do not shatter
my purity; it’s not contingent
to my virginity or
the lack of it.
I am virtuous. I am
mischievous. I’m complicated
as they come. I’m
whatever the fuck I
want to be as I rejoice my
feminine qualities. As a woman
I embrace my seductiveness
and my mastery in
breaking the visible
and invisible boundaries.
I am everything.
