you have me confused with someone else

you thought something you said or did could take away my power?
please.
you have me confused with someone else.

you thought you could hold me down and make me stay?
please.
you have me confused with someone else.

you thought you could pull a fast one, say some shit but do another, then expect me to feel the same?
please.
you have me confused with someone else.

you thought you could throw away our friendship because another asked you to, and you think i will care enough to want to say goodbye?
please.
you have me confused with someone else.

you thought you could violate me, then blame it on me being desirable and expect me to want you in my life?
please.
you have me confused with someone else.

you thought you could take advantage of my gender's curse of being programmed to please people, that because I smile I will not stand up for myself?
please.
you have me confused with someone else.

you thought you could shove your nose into where it doesn't belong, disrespecting my privacy, and expected me not to draw boundaries?
please.
you have me confused with someone else.

someone i used to be, someone that slouched, a piece of me i still love because she is me
someone who walked in the shadows, who felt lost,
tried to blend in.

that is no longer me.

i am not afraid to walk away, i am not afraid to be alone, i am not afraid of the darkness
i measure my time and think before i speak
but i am no longer afraid
i am alive
and you will hear my voice.

and if you hear my voice being shaky, because i get nervous, because i wonder if i live up to the standards i have for myself,
do not mistake it for weakness.

and for those who truly see me
you won't confuse me with anyone else.