Steady yourself~

the fury of your

circumstances

cannot overcome

the truth of you,

and what you hold sacred.

Lift your head high,

it carries a wealth of wisdom

from painful lessons

learned from facing

everything in life

with courage.

Dislodge the misery

from those shoulders

where shame rests

and let it fall,

ever so appropriately

on those who created it.

Unforeseen situations

will always arise

as will unwanted opinions.

Nothing you face today,

not one single thing,

changes who you are.

Your heart remains

ever-loving, and your soul

ever-shining and untarnished.

Smudges you think you wear

show only on the faces

of those throwing the dirt~

never on the warrior

refusing to succumb

to  the opinions and judgments

Of those without the courage

to rise up and meet their own lives~

Fists ready, heart first.