This Cage You Built Poem by Za7ra Sulaiman

i'm where u wanted me, right?
down here—
beneath the pretty lies
and the silence u wrapped like a ribbon
round my throat.

was it worth it?
clipping my wings just to say she's safe now
breaking my voice to say she's quiet now
smiling like u didn't watch me burn
and whisper obedience over the flames.

i stood tall once.
i had fire in my mouth.
but u—
u made me a shadow of myself
and called it love.

but guess what?
this rage?
this spit-slicked, soul-deep fury?
it's mine.
it's blooming in the ruins u left.

and when i rise,
and i will rise.
don't look surprised
when i don't say thank you.
don't say i changed
when i finally tear the cage open with my teeth.

because i'm exactly where u wanted me, right?
down here,
angry,
alive,
and done playing nice.