the price of kindness

The Price of Kindness" They see me, simple, kind, and pure, With open hands, intentions sure, Independent, yet soft in grace, But they make me a target in this place. My gentleness, they twist, they turn, Take what they wish, yet never learn, They see my light, but dim it so, As if my warmth they wish to stow. They call my silence weakness deep, Mistake my love for promises to keep, They take my strength, my heart, my soul, And leave me fractured, losing control. I give, I give, with heart laid bare, But they take and take, as if they care, With each step, they drag me low, As if my kindness were just for show. They laugh at me, at what I am, Call me naive, a gentle lamb, They tear my trust, break it apart, Leaving shadows in my heart. They feast upon the love I give, And drain the life from me to live, Yet never see, with hollow eyes, The quiet strength that never dies. But still I rise, though bruised, unseen, A quiet power sharp and keen, For kindness is no weakness, no fragile thread, It's the fire that burns, it's the courage to tread. So take my light, take what you please, I’ll stand, I’ll fight, I’ll find my peace, For the simple soul you tried to break, Is stronger now, no longer fake.