I Pledge Allegiance to Myself

I pledge allegiance to myself,

the closest heart I'll ever know,

and to my truth—lived and breathed—

echoing all the colors of a rainbow shroud,

even if I falter or fail or fracture or fall—

till a day long past when I might stand,

ready to give up and let myself bleed colorless,

that I may have the strength to go on

and be upright, honest, and ever faithful

to this body that's my shell and vehicle

holding all the hues of what I really am,

what I hope to become through time and error,

and what I might exhibit as a light into the world.