You Must

Watch this!

Stand

I stand before the world naked
constantly revealing who I am
unable to fade away
because my feet are rooted
I stand
having chosen to brand myself
The talisman sits on my right arm
reminding me what I'm here for
I stand
having given countless hours
having bled, cried, and slept
in the arms of my identity
I stand
exposed and unable to blend in with you
you remind me everyday
of how I am different
I stand
exposed and raw
ready to tell you all about me
though I know nothing of you
I stand
true to myself
with honesty and dreams
I stand
in a spot that I did not choose
rather that selected me
for reasons I am not fortunate enough to know
I stand
a beacon of light
absorbing the endless darkness
illuminating the sea around me so that others may travel safely
shining on as they did before me
I stand
because it's my turn
my responsibility
to make a better tomorrow
I stand
but not alone
all around me are exposed
standing before the world naked
telling stories they shouldn't have to