Mutual Respect

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Give it to you, but what about me?

Over 18, an adult in the eyes of the law
But your vision is blurred, you see me as small

I’m close to six feet, my wing span is large
I been took flight, seeing the world is where I belong, and you trying to trap
me is where you went wrong

You see you can’t tie me down, so you point out my flaws
They say respect your elders, so I clench my jaw

While the memories of your words play in my head
You don’t know the time it takes me just to get some rest

So I’m saying respect me
Before I leave and don’t return,
before I say something you’d want me to take back because my words have
made you burn

Elders teach the young ones,
But here’s a lesson you should learn.

I’m not a child, not a pawn, not just going to go along
with your views, and your ideas of what you think is right and wrong

I’m a women with a brain, full thoughts and creativity
And if you try to stifle me
You will have gotten rid of me

Causing me to make a choice that will come easy to me
Cause I will live the life I want by any means necessary

Jamila Young