Too may boxes for far too long

have been checked on my name

with sweeping declarations –

“You’re fat”, “You’re lazy” “You’re ugly”

“Sloppy”, “Forgetful”

And many have me filed under the not’s

“Not street smart” “Not capable of handling things”

“Not quick on your feet” and

the list goes on.

I listened and I believed

and ripped myself into tiny pieces,

each one scrambling to get a nod,

to erase the tick mark.

Till one day – there was nothing left

and I heard my own voice say  – “Enough.”

Now I am on a journey

that belongs to me alone

and on this path,

I walk as a whole.