How is it that everyone knows what I need? <br />How can they know, when I have no idea <br />What with which to fill this large aching void? <br />They say that they love me, but cannot <br />Because they have not what I need <br />What is this thing I need <br />This thing they see so clearly? <br />They speak of failing me <br />They worry they will hurt me, <br />They can’t give me what I desire <br />Like these things are strangers to me <br />What about me? <br />I don’t know. I am lost and confused. <br />I don’t know what I need; I know what I have <br />I know what I think <br />I love them, and I need them. <br />They speak of my pain like it doesn’t exist, <br />It isn’t real unless they give me this gift. <br />But it already exists… it is a living being. <br />The pain, it has taken over me. <br />I am a shadow, an echo of who I was. <br />They hint of who I am… <br />How can they know this <br />When not even I do? <br />They hint about leaving me <br />Because of so many things: <br />They will fail me; they will hurt me; <br />They can’t give me what I need <br />Or what I deserve… safety <br />And so I will lose them <br />In the name of protection, <br />Misguided by love. <br />How can they not realize <br />This will be the death of me? <br />I need to love and be loved <br />But they would deny me this… <br />For my safety, and my happiness… <br />What about me?<br /><br />Angela Davis<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/what-about-me/
