The Teenager: A Poetry Collection

Poem 2: The Fight For Control

I renounced the power of

Your words over me

Years ago.

In some fairy-tale I half-remember,

So why do I cry?

I didn’t

Tell myself to.

How does your voice blast

My defences?

Even over the

Bellowing headphones – my

Foolish denial function – I

Know you

Holler – tireless as a storm,

I refuse.

Refuse.

To let you hold

My heartstrings.

I keep my grades up

So you rule my life

No longer than

You must.

I keep a façade up

So I can

Feel happy.

No need to add

To a world of suffering.

I refuse.

Refuse.

The tears stop.

They refuse.

They are mine.

So whatever

Control you crave

To block out the blackness

Of your life –

Take what you hunger for.

But I own me.