I Refuse

[Minnie]

I refuse to remain invisible.
Forty-four years is enough
Of subjugating myself to others,
Of dimming so that they can appear brighter,
Of nurturing their dreams while mine lie fallow,
Of accepting less so that they can have more.

I refuse to remain invisible,
It no longer serves me well,
Dutiful daughter has come of age;
The good girl no longer follows the rules,
I refuse to continue being everything
To everyone, and nothing to myself.

Right now, I refuse to remain invisible,
As I stir the embers which have grown cold,
I pry my song from its hiding place
And, guiding it gently to the surface,
I breath deeply, filling my lungs
With fresh air, and exhale, smiling.

-Deborah Marie Denbow