tapestry in poetry

I’m not “making excuses” for not having a job
because I didn’t do anything wrong.
I’m explaining why it’s so hard to get one.
But it’s adorable you think you can break me
with merely pressure and time.
All it does it turn my dreams to diamond.
Because what doesn’t kill you,
only fucks you up royally.
But the pattern of my scars
is a fine tapestry.
Holy shit, my body shines.
I glimmer and shine both sides of the line
as I’ve learned to never mistake realism for bitterness
and to never mistake cynicism for wisdom, either.
Both extremes are a trap for the strident.
I’m ready to bend like the willow tree
I’m limber I linger I’m lucid I’m free.
Because when you stop caring what people think,
you can finally start really caring about people.
And don’t forget,
you’re a people too.
I’m a people who
is learning to stop caring what people think
so I can learn to care about myself.
I’m not “making excuses”
I didn’t do anything wrong.
But I’m not wasting breathe either
I will only explain
for so very long
before I’ll just start laughing.