the world
asks me to harden
to stand on one side
or another
to yell slogans
and convince someone of something
to prove
someone is the bigger fool
it has begun to feel like
a deafening not-listening
self-righteous derision and humiliation
disguised as tools of persuasion
the world is getting far too loud
with declarations of i am better than you
i am not the gun-wielding revolutionary
i am not the masked guerrilla
i am not the raw-throated protester
my defiance is quiet
and complete
in resisting unkindness
i feel strong
in practicing gentleness
i feel powerful
i don’t know if this
is the way
but it is mine.
narinda heng 