My friends always tells me to use my words
Say what I want
Stand up for myself
Take charge and not worry what others think.

But how?
How can one ignore the possible feelings stirred in others
Of the sadness my words can bring
The disappointment of my no show

How can I stop feeling
That others feel too

Should I become dead and selfish?
Closed off from emotion.

For that is what it would mean for me,
To stand for myself
To take charge
To say what I want

It would be the murder of others.