I Never Want to Feel This Way Again

 I never want to lay awake at 3 am on a Monday again, dreading 5 hours into the future and the following 8.

I never want to sit down in front of a pen again, only to realize that words just don't flow freely from my fingertips anymore because my passion is also my most unused skill.

I never again want to feel the sting of asking for an upward career trajectory blueprint and being gas-lit to stay in a lower place while those around me advance

I never again want to sit silenced while decisions that directly affect me are discussed behind closed doors, out of my control and out of my hands.

I never want to let money bind me to a building on fire, whilst I struggle for air against the smoke of mistreatment and a lack of freedom as my throat closes tighter

I never want to be the token again, never quite fitting in as my company opts to constantly put me under less experienced (white men)