U Before I Poem by Angela Bontle Ditumiso

I don't know how to put U before I anymore
That's the best thing to ever happen to me
Knowing that I matter too

I remember when used to mess up the alphabets, anything and everything made it to the list before I did
And I felt I belonged in last place

I used to put everyone before myself and where I put "we" they'd flip the "w" and come out with "me"
I drained myself, gave everyone my everythingremaining with nothing
Gave all I had in return for nothing
Everyone in the end had too much but was unwilling to share with me

I have learnt my lesson
So go ahead and call me selfish for wanting to love you at my own terms For crumbling and throwing "compromise" in the bin if it means I'd be the only one to sacrifice
For not wanting to fit in your schedule

Sorry I'm no fool
You want your heart flawless but adorned with pieces of my heart
I won't break myself apart for you

I won't run myself empty to make you happy I'm not the girl I used to be
Please don't compare me with "other girls", I already know who I want to be and you already know I'm like no other

I remember when I was younger and mama asked me what I was wanted to be, I had meant to say I've never been ambitious about anything
That I don't want to pick from a list that's been there before she was born but I chose to say dentist instead
I hope she gets to ask me again, I want to tell her I want to be Me.