We’d rather you didn’t express your hurt,

we’d rather you sucked it up,

towed the party line

we’d rather you were nice, like us,

we’ve been busy you see,

organising things,

and making sure we keep the show on the road,

the fact that we left you behind somewhere is sad,

but not really our concern now,

so please leave quietly,

say nice things so we feel better,

and everything looks neat and tidy,

just as it should be,

because we want to retain our nice façade,

it’s what people want, what people need…

+

well it’s not what I need,

I am hurt and bruised and battered,

my heart aches, and I am worn out,

I have good things to remeber,

people who have supported and listened,

but right now my overriding feeling is hurt,

alienation, being unwanted, and unvalued…

so, please excuse me but I am not longer able

to put on an act, to pretend, to try again to be positive,

or to understand,

of course we may be looking at this

from different vantage points,

you are carrying on,

I have ben left behind…

+

Please excuse me, but as we part ways,

I feel the need to shake the dust from my feet now,

and today that dust feels more like great clods of dirt….

but I will shake them off anyway..

+

I hope we can move on feeling lighter,

and process forgiveness as we can,

but today I am expressing my hurt,

because I am hurt,

and my mask of engagement, of being nice

has crumbled away.

+

I am hurt…

that is my truth…..