Why Do I Try?

Why do I try?

Why do I try when the whole world brings me down?

They beat me.

Mock me.

Stifle me.

Disparage me.

Until I feel like I am nothing.

Why do I try?

Why do I try when they say that I can't?

They say I canʼt compete.

I canʼt succeed.

I canʼt achieve.

I canʼt triumph.

Until I believe I am nothing.

Why do I try?

Why do I try when they just get in my way?

They limit me.

Prohibit me.

Restrict me.

Subjugate me.

Until I really am nothing.

Why do I try?

I try because I wonʼt let them control me.

They may bring me down.

They may put me down.

They may hold me down.

But I will not submit to the will of someone who believes I am anything less than someone.

Because I am not nothing

I am something

And I am not going to let anyone

treat me as if I weren't