you praise yourself like a god
you put yourself on a pedestal
high above us mere mortals
we should be thankful
     your presence
     your actions
     your voice
but
how can I be grateful of yours
when you won't let me have mine
my voice - drown out for so long
I thought I lost it

But I
I clawed back from the dark,
repressive hole you
shoved me into
I bit
I clawed
I fought - oh yes I fought
and you
oh sweet, perfect you
you tried to push me down again
huh

But I fought
fought for me
    my dignity
    my hope
    my future
    my voice

I rose, ****** and bruised
I rose
and I have succeeded
while you
have failed

and yet
bits of your beatings remain
I have my dignity
    but some some still see me as the falsehoods you told
I have my hope
    but it's still bruised from your blows
I have my future
    but maybe - maybe I'll end up just like you
I have my voice
    but maybe I talk so fast because you never let me get a word out
and I have me.

and no matter how hard you try
how hard you push
how hard you twist
I will always have me
and my me is one that I won't
let you crush

I will be heard - and you can't stop me