Meet me where I am at

I saw Lucy Hale break down about wanting people to meet her where she's at and it inspired this poem. I hope you guys like it.

It took a lot of me to be here
this version of me that you want modified
this version of me you want to compromise
Like metal passing through fire
Like a glaring fire that spit out a gem
I went through it all and here I am

Now I know how to protect me
Now I know that you can't make me feel
Small or guilty or wrong
Now I know where I belong

There were times when I would have questioned me
Back then, I would just blame me
back then, I would just say sorry
back then, I just didn't see

People like people who agree
I laughed it off
I nodded, I wasn't difficult

They tell me now they miss who I was,
the version of me that bent for their like
the me then that was weak
they say they miss her, the old me

But no, I am not budging
I am not taking single step back,
for your approval

So if you really want to know me
Meet me where I am at
Because I didn't go through hell
To walk all the way back