If you wish to blame them

make it powerful,

let it matter,

say it honestly

and with

conviction…

Blame them 

for the spine you grew,

the lines you drew,

the shit

you won’t take.

Blame them

elegantly

for your rise above

their reach,

your confidence

immune

to their slicing…

Blame them 

eloquently

for your certainty

that you will

prevail,

your attitude

of gratefulness,

your ability to accept

all flaws,

including your own…

Blame them

for your courage

and tenacity

in the face of all

those who doubt you,

for your immovable

force of will

in the face of 

obstacles

that would stagger

the average

mind…

Blame them

fiercely

for the grace you’ve 

grown,

and the compassion

you’ve learned 

to exemplify

from being shown

none…

Blame them

with the integrity

they may not

recognize,

with the dignity

they tried to take

from you…

If you wish to blame them,

then let them feel 

the weight

of all you have become

as you

rise…