By Modiponsho Maema, 17
Sunflower Children’s Hospice, Bloemfontein
I refuse to be just another one
To be refused and silenced
I refuse to be a victim of
My own circumstances. I refuse
To be treated like an outsider
To be tossed aside like an object.
I refuse to be an option;
I refuse to accept fate
Before me, to hold back, to
Surrender to the enemies of my
Success.
I refuse to give away my power
And will for life, but more – I refuse
To let life pass me by and
Forget that I have a voice. I refuse
To say it’s OK when doors have
Been shut on my face; I refuse
To let my dream slip, to be
An umbrella holder. Above all I refuse
To be forgotten; my existence matters.
I refuse to lose hope, to give up
To wipe these tears on my face
They tell a story of my journey
They tell how far I have come
And how strong I am. They are
A rainbow of my pride.