Existence

Neither your cruelty nor your kindness have anything to do with me.

I can stop trying to please or ameliorate or grovel or lie or be grateful or tiptoe.

I don’t have to hide or avoid or ignore: I can speak up. I can question. I can disagree.

My opinions matter. My feelings matter. I am not stupid or foolish.

I can protect myself now, and also ask for help; and ask and ask and ask until I receive it.

I exist. I take up space.

I am welcome here.