THE UNAPOLOGETIC NO

I want to give the unapologetic ‘no.’

I want to drop it on hard ground

bringing no cushions for its fall.

It should smash when it lands

so all of its pieces are scattered and heard.

I want to give the unapologetic ‘no’

and only follow it up with a period

.

I don’t want to clothe it with reason

or adjust its voice.

It should stand on its own

nude

free

unashamed.

I have lived the violence of ‘yes’

stabbed by the daggers of  “um…sure.”

I want the peace

and care

of the unapologetic ‘no.’

Quick

short

and yet still my full story.