time and time
again
i rise
sorrow spilling
from my eyes
i rise to
face
another day
to face
more disappointment
to have
my pride
torn from me
my dreams
stolen from me
my beliefs
ridiculed
all in hopes
that the next day
i will rise
a changed person
after all the
persecution
they hope i rise
changed
or that i rise
not at all
~erika boal