Stand Up

I will place a hand on their shoulder

and firmly push them back;

No longer will they get to tell me

that I am nothing.

They shouldn’t have been able to

except I let their words encase;

I should have shoved and kicked

that still doesn’t make me something.

It doesn’t make me anything more

or make me any better.

You can’t fight hate with hate;

bruises for bruises will break the world’s bones;

ice the bruise, get up

stand up.

For a bruise, give a glare -

for a broken bone, give a shout -

for an open wound, give a soliloquy -

for a murder, send an army;

But not to kill.

To explain.

To make them learn.