I Am

I am who I am because

My father almost never cries

But my mother does enough for the both of them.

I am who I am because books were shoved at me from birth

And I fell in love.

I’m a warrior and a princess

And I don’t think that makes me weak.

I can stand up to you

Even if it makes me cruel

Because sometimes you need to

Break all the rules.

I am who I am because my skin loves the sun

And my heart hates it more.

I think I was born with rain boots on.

And even when it’s not raining,

It’s sprinkling anyway, somewhere in the world.

I am the daughter of people who believe

And faith will always be a part

Of my home.

Of my mind.

Of my heart.

I am who I am because

Love is worth risking the world

And nothing is worse than forgetting that.

I am brave and I can stand ready for the hit;

Because

To fall in love is to willingly become an open target.

I am who I am because hiding is a joke

And everyone should know that.

I am who I am because I can always go home

To the hot chocolate and lavender house.

I am who I am because I know what to do

With a broken heart.

In those moments when it seems like too much

I can remember that the world is full of

Lilacs and footprints.

It’s full of raindrops and skyscrapers.

Along with the fears and the wars there are still

Old books for smelling and

Poems to be written.

I am who I am because I know what to do

With a broken heart.