I, once, had lost myself in you
now I have finally lost myself
I can’t even remember my own name
for all of the pet names you have given me
Nothing more than your house pet
earning respect only when performing tricks for you
Your songbird kept caged
to twitter a tune when it suited you
Your frantic little squirrel
gathering all that was necessary to fulfill your needs
...
I was the lead actress in your play
To act helpless
so you have a purpose of rescuing me
to constantly remind me why I’m with you
because I’m incapable of taking care of myself
To be your doll
to play with for amusement
and give you your sense of control
To always be in costume
remaining young and pretty
so you would still show feelings towards me
To be the keeper of your children
while you still keep me as your child
…
But no more
This play will now come to an end
I now realize you never married me
you married what you made me to be
which now wants to be free
And make you realize how it’s you I have saved
Would you be able to sleep without me next to you
Would you know how to take care of yourself if I was not there
Who would you have to blame when things go wrong

Without me…
you are incomplete and empty
Like our home…
nothing more than a doll house
and now your doll is broken
and needs to fix herself
And so I leave you
under my own accord
Your life will go on
you just need to learn how
As I need to learn how to smile
when I want to
For it has been too long
since I have smiled
when it felt right
in my heart
Like the smile that came over me

when I saw the expression on your face
as I closed the door behind me for the last time
…
Your little songbird
has finally escaped her cage
and taken flight

03/19/2003

Author's Note: ***Based on the contemporary drama "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen (1879) as if spoken by the lead character, Nora Helmer***(In honor of "Women's History Month")

Posted on 03/20/2003
Copyright © 2025 Chris D Lavigne