What You Called Soft By: Amanda Burton

Reading 'What You Called Soft' really struck a chord with me because it so powerfully captures the complex emotions involved in realizing that what we once thought was love might have been something else entirely—control wrapped in silence. The poem’s imagery of holding anger quietly, dressing it sweetly, and hiding it like a sin feels incredibly relatable to anyone who has tried to minimize their feelings to keep the peace. From my personal experience, acknowledging those buried feelings is a turning point. When I stopped shrinking myself to fit others’ expectations, I discovered an inner fire—like the poem says, 'Rage is patient. Rage is smart.' It’s an intelligent force that holds space for justice and truth in our hearts. The transformation from a softened, silenced version of oneself into a whole, loud, and authentic person is truly liberating. This piece also highlights the importance of embracing vulnerability, not as a weakness but as a source of strength. Society often teaches women to suppress emotions; this poem and its hashtags like #embracevulnerability and #nomore encourage breaking that cycle. In relationships, recognizing when love has been conditional or harmful is essential for healing and growth. Reflecting on this, I feel empowered to no longer ask for permission to exist fully and express my true self. It's a reminder that real love accepts you as you are, and when someone fears that authenticity, it’s not a loss for you but a loss of control for them. The raw honesty in the poem inspires me to continue valuing my voice and standing firm in my truth regardless of others’ reactions.