S T R E N G T H 

Rameen Iftikhar

You hold the world on your shoulders
But all people see is a hunched back.
Your demons chain you, hold you back
And you are mistaken for walking slow.

Oh darling the tears that run down your face,
They say,
Are nothing more than a rotten base
A weak foundation, without control.

Man up, stop whining,
The voices that echo,
Hold you back, make you numb
And still your soul.

Oh little fighter, feel
Feel the air press against you
Feel the land beneath your feet
And feel all that’s concealed deep beneath the surface.

Know that you are brave,
Know that you are strong,
Know that their words can’t diminish your light,
Let your strength guide you to rise above everything.