I Learned I Am Worth It

I wasn't meant to be beautiful
I wasn't meant for the pleasing of your eyes
or the stirring of your inner love
I am meant to set a fire beneath you
to make you quake in your boots
I am here to make you rethink every mistake
every loss
every unkind thing you have ever done
I am not meant for your compliments
I was worthy before you told me I was
and I will be after you are gone
I am a flame
whether you are the water 
that tries to drown me out
or the oxygen that fans me
it is up to you
but I will burn
for however long I choose to.
It isn't up to you.