I don’t need to maim to feel strong or walk tall.
I don’t need to hunt to gather trophies worth collecting.
I don’t need to make someone a punchline to be taken seriously.
I don’t need to point to others’ flaws to conceal my bruises —
And don’t need to conceal them to know they’re healing.
I don’t need to belittle anyone to sense the weight of my words,
And I don’t need to silence others to be — or remain — interesting.

I am free
To smile
To rejoice
From the inside
When you succeed