It Doesn’t Change Who I Am

You look at me

As if I’m so

Different than you

As if what

You perceive

As limitations

Invalidate the things

I can do.

You write out

My life in tragedy

As if I don’t experience

Joy too

But I laugh

And cry

Just like

You

I know

Joy

And I know

Sorrow

Too.

I see the look

Of pity

The whispers

You don’t think

I hear

I don’t need

The looks of

Pity

Written across

Your face,

My life isn’t

One filled

With pain

I see the

Joy

And I celebrate

Life.

Don’t try to cut

Me down

With your negative

Words and ableist

Attitude,

No matter

What you

Say or do

It Doesn’t Change

Who I am.

© Michelle R Kidwell

June.03.2021