I Identify as Free

Constantly,

I was picked on in class.

I would laugh too,

though my heart was ripped

through my throat.

Went home to ask

Mama for a new coat.

I thought it would make me

cool enough to receive notes

in school, instead of being

the joke inside the paper…

Being an outsider made

me bitter as capers.

There were times when I

joined in to make fun of

others to get the attention

off of me, so I could breathe.

I didn’t yet have the strength

to get up and leave.

I became the very

thing that I despised

to survive.

Slowly, my mind changed.

One day it clicked, and I

was never the same.

I demanded bullies not to

call me or anyone else

cruel names anymore.

I’m not sure if they stopped,

but they sure didn’t bully

around me.

My identity started to

become my own.

I was sick and tired of trying

to please everyone.

Wanted people to leave me

alone.

Then,

nature caught my eye

and became my only

long-lasting friend.

I’d go through the pain

all over again to lead me

to peace.

I went from being an

outsider

to an outdoorsman.

As I sat on the rock

and counted geese,

my rosy cheeks

told it all…

I was destined to be

free.