Written on; 27th Feb 2017
Published on; 04th July 2017

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I wear a crown
not of silver or of gold
but forged by sheer magnificence
It is a sign of oppression, I'm told

I wear a crown
not of rubies or of pearls
a gem unparalleled, unmatched
they tell me its a meteor, not a jewel

I wear a crown
not of a king's or a queen's
not something inherited but learnt
they say its a sign of submission, that I'm weak

I wear this crown
Not because I'm told
Your words will ricochet
Because I am bold
I wear this crown
Not because I am oppressed
This is my body, my free will
Something your bigoted mind will never process
I wear this crown
Not because I am weak
My faith is my strength
A fact your polluted eyes can't see
I wear this crown
It is my right, my sense of identity
You will not take it away
For it is my skin, a part of me

You will continue to label my choice of clothing
conveniently overlooking the choice is mine and not thrust upon me
Because you cannot fathom this rare kind of bravery
To drape myself in colours my faith has given me

So I shall stand
With my head held high
Fire in these bones
And pride in my eyes

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Thank you to everyone reading my poems <3
Cathleen xx