The Strength of Walking Away

They asked if I would come back.

I said no and I didn't look back.

My voice surprised me.

It was steady. It didn't plead.

I didn't rehearse it.

Didn't practice the words.

Didn't prepare for what

I might feel when I said it.

But when I opened my mouth,

it was already decided.

The word was already there.

Already certain.

No.

That's all I said.

No explanation.

No softening.

No maybe someday.

Just no.

And I heard myself say it

like I was hearing someone else.

Like someone braver than me

had borrowed my voice.

But it was mine.

It was always mine.

I'd just forgotten

what it sounded like

when it wasn't afraid.