I Am... Determined

I am determined.

You told me I was not worthy,

Not deserving of all things fulfilling.

You told me that the odds were stacked against me,

and they are.

But you treated me as such, and neglected to see my full potential.

You denied me.

But I am determined.

Determined to take what you said I could not have.

Determined to earn what you said I could not earn.

Determined to achieve what you said I could not achieve.

I am determined to follow my dreams and passions.

No longer will I allow you to define me, 

because I am not who you say I am, 

but who I say I am.

I will finish college.

I will go to law school.

I will give back.

Not because I need to prove that you were wrong, 

but to prove that I am right.

My potential is not limited, 

I am full of ambition and zeal.

I will be the leader you never dreamed that I could be.

Because I am determined. 

And when I see you,

I will not greet you with malice

or look at you in disdain.

I will smile a genuine smile, 

And when you ask me how I was able to succeed,

I will, simply, say

that I was determined.