Determined

Deny me not that which I have worked so hard for
It is rightfully mine…the reward
The sweat of my brow still glistens in the sun
And the callouses on my hands still burn
Yet I have complained not, nor have I relinquished my burden
I have not hardened my heart, it has remained open

But now that it has come time to reap
You have tried to steal my joy from me
Placing doubt where it is not welcome
Chains of self-ridicule try to lock the doors of my inner sanctum
I am weary, but my feet slack not before the purpose at hand
This journey is mine to finish, I will finish it under my own command

With conviction as my sword and my dreams as my shield
I will fight whomever I need to fight, I will not bow my head and kneel
My spine is rod straight, my eyes unwavering from my goal
Hell may come, but the distance I will go
Come dragon or giant…foe living or dead
Nothing will stop me now…not even the voices inside my head

Word count 186
Line count 18
Third place winner in the River of Poetry Contest