Strength

How can another’s opinion weaken me,

Turn me to a victim of indecency,

Or make me feel less of a man,

Like I’ve been stripped of my dignity…

How can they be right,

If I’m not wrong?

Moreover,

How can I stay strong

When I’ve been tormented for so long,

Suppressed,

By a substance’s song

If life is a two-way street,

Then why do I prolong

On this

​One-way

To a dead end,

No one to trust as a friend

Who won’t condescend

On me

As I descend

To my world of pretend,

A haven,

Where I refuse to mend

Yet still comprehend

The vibes others send…

Now if this went a little off track,

I just wanna bring it back,

Cuz a little while ago,

I felt under attack,

Belittled,

Small

Like I could slip through a crack,

I had to hold back

When I caught a verbal smack,

And I was hurt ,

These eyes fought tears

As I recalled old fears

From past years,

For a moment,

I couldn’t see clear,

Or pioneer

A thought

That might

Persevere my conscience,

Commandeer my welfare,

The insecurities I hold dear,

See I’m here,

In this land of opportunity,

And if I’m weak,

Then others are ruining me

In my own community

Where I deserve immunity

From these,

One-sided

Close-minded opinions,

Divided and misguided decisions,

This is my decided dominion,

Don’t come in strutting

Like you’re the kingsman,

There’s a war being fought,

Deadly weapons the devil brought

Could have me distraught,

But I’ve been brought up and taught

To go head on into battle,

Strap on a saddle

Round up the cattle

Drop the baby rattle

Grab a paddle,

And row my own damn boat,

Cuz others will always,

Laugh and joke

Enclosed in glass and smoke

No passion to cope,

Well I’m smashing that hope

Of blasting more dope,

Cuz it slashes my rope

And I crash and I croak,

So I share what I know

Cuz I care and I grow,

And I put it in words so

Beware of the flow…

No one else,

Is gonna hold the joystick

And control me

Like a video game,

Cuz they haven’t felt my pain

Or seen the flames

And acid rain

When it came and changed

The mainframe in my brain,

Rearranged

This individual

Who was once sane,

To one trapped with no residual gain,

Let me simply explain,

I was strapped to the tracks

Of an oncoming train,

Still looking to place blame…

Well now it’s less important

How another soul views me,

If I ignore your condescending demeanor,

Please excuse me,

I’ve surrendered to a power,

I will not let refuse me

And he’s pretty choosy…

So to those who

Practice and teach ignorance,

To those who

Continue to preach indilligence,

I’m sending the word

That I will not lay down,

I will stand my ground

When you come around

With that profound sound,

See this is MY world,

I’m the king,

And I cherish my crown…