The telephone rings

I see it's him

My hands are not shaking

My nerves are like steel

He starts right off

Like he always does

Before I say hello

The same put downs

The same old stuff

I listen and then smile

Until he winds down

Then ask him, please

To hear me out

No more will I hear and believe

His words are not law

He will not control me

With all of his calls

As I tell him my feelings

I don't hold back

I'm finally free of his hold

His mind games don't work

I tell him calmly

If he wants to talk

Only when he's more kind

To give me a call

Otherwise, this is so long

Have a good life

And I hang up the phone

Prepared to not look back