Notice: Terms not accepted

NOTICE!!

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.