Know Me

I want 
you to know
i am 
a girl, strong and smart
despite your need to keep me down
i grew to be kind 

I want 
you to know
i hated you and what you did
for so long I sat brewing anger 
i needed love
your love, your respect, your validation
for so long
i searched in every relationship
destroying each in search of it.

I want 
you to know 
i love
not like you
i think
not like you
i show affection
not like you.

I want 
you to know
I let you go
I did it
all the conflict
all the fear
all the anger
it's floating down the river toward another 

I want
you to know
I am powerful
loving 
passionate!
I am a woman
without your guidance
I am.