Poem: Who I am is not a luxury

Who I am is not a luxury

Priorities don’t see me

The ME that is from within

The ME that is from your perception

My sisters and brothers fail to be included

Is it FEAR that keeps us excluded

Fear of demanding

Fear of engaging

Fear of trusting

Fear of wanting

You assume I have a choice

Choice between who I love

Choice between who I am

Choice between what I am

Our lives have become a political ploy

We were catered to when time and energy were a toy

We were catered to when interest was there

Were we catered to when dollars were there

The sexual economy ensures me in your movement

My political value is not seen

I stand amongst my people

The light has been shown but now the darkness has descended

Now is the time of courage and foresight

Our struggle is not one of equality

Our struggle is one of recognition

Our struggle is grown from within

Each movement does not see me as critical

Each movement asks me to payback

Each movement can not understand me

Each movement is ashamed of me

When I brought us together it was to sing

I wanted US to sing

Sing that song of liberation

Sing those songs that have been forgotten

Enemies come from within

Enemies come from outside

Enemies can be embraced

Enemies are our friend

We can choose to be divided

We can choose to be conquered

We can choose to be valued

We can choose to be

When HOPE is gone there can not be salvation

HOPE does not exist only in imagination

HOPE stares back wanting recognition

HOPE keeps us on our mission

Love is what keeps me at it

Love is what keeps me in it

Love is what keeps me for it

Love is what keeps me

Fear is courage turned inside out

Fear is courage turned upside down

Fear is courage turned around

Fear is courage turned inside out

Challenge is all around us

Challenge is what life teaches us

Challenge is what you can not escape

Challenge is all around us

Who I am is not a luxury

Priorities don’t see me

The ME that is from within

The ME that is from your perception

December 15, 2003    

Nick Metcalf