"I Am More"

I am more-
More than a label
that society so harshly
brands upon my being
Displaced and defamed
Interrogated for an affliction
I asked not for
A thousand tongues of fire
muttering, murdering
Unsheathing knives
And none have guessed
my pain
Why should I even have to-
justify?

I am more-
than the majestic peaks
or sun-bleached lands
stretching beyond the horizon
That I "cannot" stand upon

I am more-
than a captive animal
Ruins left in the wild
as ancient images
stare blankly
Not knowing the purpose

I’ve stood in reverence
as a caged bird
leaped to freedom
Spreading his wings
beneath orange sun rays
claiming the sky

I’ve drank to the moon
in awe of the stars
enclosing the heavens
And wept for those misplaced
and forgotten

I’ve held the vine of life
within my womb
Immeasurable pain,
blood trickling incessantly
Expelling tiny miracles
a bond forever entwined

I’ve felt love-
deeper than the billowing seas
that neither time nor distance can sever
And pain that left me thirsting
for penance while daylight paled
as predator’s tore out my heart

Not so different than you-
Except my realm is minuscule

I am written in the “Word”-
a candle I hold,
Though the flame may be small
My beauty shall be found-
In death
And you will think of me-

Knowing I was MORE