Can’t say no?
Can’t say No!
Couldn’t if I tried
An alarm goes off
And I shrivel up inside
Lungs heat up
And the mind seizes
Heart skips a beat
And my belly freezes
Well worn words
Spill out to betray
“Oh, fine, alright
That’s OK!”
Self loathing foul
Creeps in to taunt
An old foe within
His familiar haunt
Messages so wrong
I always please
Saying yes to all
Isn’t fear a tease?
Am I enough?
Oh, worthless game!
Eyes ever betray
The dance of shame
Wise words said
To self be true
Yet always within
So hard to do
Dianne Priest © June 2006
You are not alone. Here at C-Change we enjoy partnering with people who want to see what life is like on the other side of anxiety, people-pleasing, boundary and self-worth issues.
A good friend once said, “We train people how to treat us.”
I’ve never forgotten those wise words.