YOU SAID by Tanjila Pettis

You said that I am not a man,

A woman can’t do what a man can.

So, why do you want me?

We have nothing in common.

I don’t enjoy calling women bitches,

I would never forget my woman over sports.

You said that a man is what every woman wants.

Well, I’m a woman and I don’t want a man,

I don’t want you.

I don’t want to be walked over, overlooked, played with,

Or lied to.

You said that I would never accomplish up to anything,

Which is not true.

I feel ten times as strong as when I was with you,

Killing my soul.

So know that when you turn around

I won’t be there,

And you women!

Said that that what you truly needed was a real man,

Why was it that when he was beating you

It was me you were running to?

You said that a girl like me wasn’t even your type.

Now, three kids later, and a divorce, you now realize that you’re a dyke.

Where were you at when I needed your air to breathe?

Where were you at when my tears burned a hole into my soul?

Emptiness was the kiss I always tasted

Knowing that they were not your lips.

So I moved on.

You said that I wasn’t worth paying attention to,

But you paid plenty of attention to me when it involved loot.

You’re a grown woman and I’m just a little girl.

Too bad you didn’t hang around to find 

That I would stop the world.

For these are not just promises.

I believe whatever you told me

Because you said I was the only one you wanted.

But now I see.

I can never be him, and you will never love me,

No not like the way I wish you would,

So I’ve deadened all the emotions I had

So that you would be gone for good.

To both I hope you’re happy for real.

Because a friend to him and a lover to you is something you’ll never feel,

No, not any more.

Remember next time not to judge,

Because I remember what you said.

-Tanjila Pettis