They say “you’re fragile”

I say I’m mighty

They say “you’re young”

I say I’m still growing

They tell me I’m tired

I say “I’ll keep going”

They see me cry

They ignore me

They push me down

I get back up

They say “I know best”

I say “you don’t know me”

They try to weigh me down

I’m already soaring

They try to bring the storm

But I let it bounce right off

Because she asked a question

One that made me think

One that made me realize

That this thing

Didn’t matter

Not to me

She leaned down and whispered

Just these few words

Who are “they”?

And that forever changed me