jump off the Cliff

**TAKING MY DIGNITY WITH ME** I’m taking my dignity with me, Every piece you tried to break, All the love I kept on giving, Every sacrifice I made. I’m taking back my heart of gold, The one you treated carelessly, You can keep this empty house— But you don’t get to keep me. I gave you kindness when you gave me cold, Loved you harder when you pushed me away, Cooked your meals, made this place a home, Still stood beside you on your darkest days. I brought laughter through these animals, Little souls that loved you too, And filled this place with warmth and life While I kept showing up for you. You took my softness for weakness, My staying as permission to hurt, You thought because I kept forgiving I forgot exactly what I’m worth. **So I’m taking my dignity, My kindness and my light, Taking every piece of me That kept your darkness bright. And when my footsteps leave this place And there’s nobody left to blame, You might finally understand Exactly what walked away.** I stayed because I cared about you, Not because I couldn’t leave, There’s a difference between devotion And giving more than you receive. I kept hoping you would find yourself, That somehow love could pull you through, But I can’t keep setting myself on fire Just to keep the heat on you. You’ll miss my cooking in the kitchen, You’ll miss my voice down the hall, You’ll miss the animals running to you, You’ll miss the woman who gave her all. You’ll miss the little things you laughed at, Every comfort you ignored, Because people never know what love is worth Until it isn’t theirs anymore. **I’m taking my dignity, My kindness and my light, Taking every piece of me That kept your darkness bright. And when my footsteps leave this place And silence knows your name, Don’t say nobody loved you— I loved you through everything.** And who knows where your road will take you When I’m no longer standing near, Who will care when things get heavy? Who will still be standing there? I hope someday you find some peace, But that’s not mine to carry anymore. I spent too much of myself holding you up While you kept pushing me toward the door. So no, I’m not leaving empty-handed. I’m leaving with what’s left of me— My heart, my pride, my animals, My soul, my strength, my dignity. And when you’re sitting in the darkness Thinking back on what we had, Remember: I didn’t leave because I stopped loving you. **I left because loving you Was finally costing me too damn much of myself.**