I Was Born to Be Me, And Free

I Was Born to Be Me, And Free

I was,

I was born to be me

not shaped by your hands

not bent at the knee

I was,

I was born to be free

not bought by approval

not begging to be

No mirror can tell me

what I ought to wear

no whisper can shame me

I no longer care

I carry my story

no edits, no plea

I was,

I was born to be me

I was,

I was born to be free

I’ve walked through their silence

I’ve tasted their doubt

but none of their cages

could keep the wild out

They wanted me smaller

less fierce, more polite

but fire stays fire

whether hidden or bright

So don’t call it stubborn

don’t dress it as pride

this truth that I carry

has nowhere to hide

I don’t need your banners

your rules, or decree

I was,

I was born to be me

I was,

I was born to be free