Excuse me

‎ ‎Excuse me ‎did you think ‎I would stay quiet forever? ‎ ‎Did you think ‎my softness was surrender, ‎my silence was agreement, ‎my patience was permission ‎to treat me less ‎than whole? ‎ ‎Excuse me ‎but I have learned ‎to rearrange my shadows ‎into strength, ‎to gather every broken piece ‎and turn it into a blade ‎of clarity. ‎ ‎Excuse me ‎if my voice sounds different now ‎it grew through fire, ‎rose through doubt, ‎and came back carrying ‎its own thunder. ‎ ‎Excuse me ‎for not shrinking anymore, ‎for not fitting into spaces ‎that were never built ‎to hold me. ‎ ‎Excuse me ‎but this is me ‎stepping forward, ‎unapologetic, ‎unsoftened, ‎unafraid. ‎ ‎If my truth is loud, ‎so be it. ‎It was quiet ‎for far too long. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎