Though the wind tears upon my face and rips through my clothing, and slices into my skin,

Though the rain hammers my scalp, drenches my coverings, and chills me to the bone,

Though the sun creates blisters upon my neck, and causes me to shed that which shields my flesh,

Though the snow and ice cause my ears to numb, and my arms to cinch close with the tattered rags upon my shivering body,

I shall stand straight.

Though the hazards of love do downturn my smile, and wither my sense of romance, and wound my delicate heart,

Though the burden of care for my fellow-man, and concerns of consciousness weigh heavily upon my willing soul,

Though the nagging, unsupportive, consistently deprecating voice, continually undermine my confidence,

Though the dreary, melancholy waves suppress my mirth, and the midnight  clouds converge to occlude the sun and sky of my spirit.

I won’t bend.

Though you see me as unworthy,

Though you see me as unsound.

Though you consider me unequal,

Though you see me as no friend.

Though you scorn me with judgment,

Though you fail to understand,

Though you look at me as nothing,

Though you scowl when I extend my hand.

I can’t be swayed.

Though you think you know it all,

Though you are sure what’s best for me.

Though you offer me your solutions,

Though you don’t recognize I’m free,

Though you impose and force a certain way,

Though you tell me how the world ought to be.

Though you feel I’m supposed to live a life,

Though you think there’s only one way to see.

I. Will. Not. Bow.

Humbly yours,

J