Terms Not Accepted (Sam Harty - Baker, LA)

 

I was not born to be small,
not carved from hush,
not designed to disappear.
 
I will not
acquiesce, or
negotiate who I am
with you.
 
I will not
barter my skin,
trade soft-spokeness
for your comfort.
 
I will not
reshape my words
to fit your blueprint.
 
I will not
shrink, smooth, hush,
or squeeze into the
closet of your design.
 
I will not
silence myself,
not for you, not for the world,
not for the ghost in the mirror
who once begged to be small.
 
I will not
unbecome to make you whole,
apologize for taking up air,
for burning too bright,
for loving too loud.
 
I will not
dim my shine, soften my blaze,
or make my survival a polite
anecdote.
 
I am
unapologetic,
unbargained,
beautifully broken,
And untouched by your demands.