MY BODY IS MY COUNTRY

by Raphaelle O'Neil

My body is my country,
My dear beloved land.
Every inch is what I live for,
"Freedom!" my demand.
"Respect" my expectation
From each and every man.
With the power to strike or nurture
That lies in both my hands,
Yes the strength of my being
Is nothing short of grand.

Yet, some may see its bareness
As vulnerability,
And view it as a weakness
On which to lay cruelty.
But those who are so blinded
By hateful animosity,
Who wish to rape my sense of self
With primitive barbarity,
Will not destroy my sense of pride,
Nor dilute my humanity;

For the light they try so hard to fade
Burns safely, deep inside of me.