A poem for my daughters. Lately I've been responding to FB posts and comments I used to ignore. Why? Does it do any good? Does it make it worse? Will it change someone's mind? Will my speaking up have a positive effect? I don't know. I just find it hard to keep my mouth shut every time.
Look in the eye
I want to be able to look my daughters in the eye
And not be ashamed for what I didn’t say or do.
If that means saying things other people don’t want to hear,
If that means saying things people don’t understand,
If that means being labeled or called names,
Being damned to an eternity in hell
(whatever that means)
I’m okay with that.
I’m okay with people being revolted by my thoughts
I’m okay with people disagreeing
I’m okay with people not understanding that I
Don’t care what they think.
I’m okay with people’s horrified looks
I’m okay with being assaulted with vitriol
written and verbal.
I’m okay with people showing their prejudices and fear
I’m okay with putting myself out there
I’m willing to be judged
by people who have no stake in my life
Because by judging they are showing
that they don’t understand,
and perhaps they don’t really care about,
the true meaning of love.
I’m not going to fight
with slurs, judgment, and hate.
I’m not going to fight.
I’m not going to give up.
I’ll speak my truth.
I’ll speak from my heart.
I’ll speak
out.
I’ll stand up for my rights.
I’ll stand up against wrongs.
I’ll look my daughters in the eye.
And if I’m lucky,
we will march together.
And maybe someday,
we won’t need to march anymore.
