Pride (a survivor's prayer)

I am in awe of the strength in people who suffer in this world simply because they chose to live their truth. For the qualities they exhibit are more human then those who persecute them.

  Pride

   A survivor's prayer

   

  By

     Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

           

I am marked by the scars you have left me with,

yet I will not be broken.

I am haunted by the anger of hateful words

both said and those unspoken.

It is not with pride I find my strength to walk 

among oblivious crowd.

To stand my truth uncompromised 

and hold steady upon the ground.

These tears I weep are testament 

for these things I leave behind.

For they can take everything they believe I'm worth, 

but this heart is always mine.

Author's Note

Author's Note; I am in awe of the strength in people who suffer in this world simply because they chose to live their truth. For the qualities they exhibit are more human then those who persecute them. They simply reflect our better angels. The poem may be contrite but the love and sentiment said is truly heartfelt. Dedicated to my grandmother who raised me and taught me how to love and my brother who is part of the LGBTQ community and taught me how to love bravely.

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

My mom is part of the lgbtq community. Hurts to think how long she had to live lies and try to fit her circle into a square box. Fortunately a lot of what gets left behind is garbage best rid of. Your poem touched me. Thanks

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you William for sharing your thoughts on this piece. My older brother is part of the LGBTQ community and was basically disowned by my parents. Though later my mom reconciled somewhat with him she still felt he was condemning his soul to hell. I called her hypocritical because she had an affair and child out of wedlock. I haven't talk to her since then 10 yrs ago. No religion should ever hold precedent over the love of a parent and their child. Thank you again my friend.

[Seuwandi]

Hi Carlo,
"I'm marked with the scars you me, and yet I will not be broken" I think this poem is captivating...it captures all the emotions one gores through...but still be strong enough to stand up for themselves.
I will remember this poem for its originality.
Great work Carlos

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Seuwandi, for your kind words. You are very correct about the line. It speaks about the strength and love in one's heart to not hate in return when they are persecuted by others. But to live in their truth the way they choose. It is there where we find our greatest strength to be brave in the way we love. Thank you again for your kind words.

[LeslieNoel]

I absolutely love this poem! There is such strength in your words. You seem to be a strong and steadfast person. Your grandmother raised you well.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

thank you, Leslie. For the kind words. She has a great influence on the way I choose to tell stories. She barely had an 8th grade education but she was so filled with sharp wit and insightful wisdom. I only wish I could be half as good as she was in her ability to spin a tale. Thank you again for your kindness.

[LeslieNoel]

She sounds like she was a wonderful person!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

More so then I could ever truly describe. Parts of her are sprinkled throughout much of my writing. She will always define my ideals of what hope truly means.

[LeslieNoel]

That's lovely. She was and is such an inspiration for you.

[eaglefeather]

this was a amazing poem, i was motivated by the power in your words, the way the seemed to fit together, and the message that they conveyed.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

thank you so much for your kind review. I believe on a human level this prayer poem speaks to us all, and any who have ever been seen as different or inferior. It was influenced by two people who walked in this world with such bravery and love despite condemnation. As storytellers we want to inspire goodness in others and speak to the innately human compassion that exists in us all. As your words have touched me I am glad this work has done the same to you. Thank you.

[eaglefeather]

i have been seen as different many times as i have recently come out as bi

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Then this belongs to you and the bravery and trueness you choose to live by. Thank you for your inspiration.

[eaglefeather]

I am tearing up, thank you so much

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Carlos... living your truth does give you strength. We do answer to ourself and a higher Power. truly, Pat

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for your kind heartfelt words, as well as taking the time to read this poem. I do appreciate it.

[mattavelli]

Hello, Carlos! :)
I love cats. Ive only had one cat, our family pet while I grew up. We were the same age, and she lived 22 years. I'm pretty sure that cat felt that she raised me, and maybe she did a bit. Cats are sneaky hunters, but they dont hide their nature; they'd eat us if they could, and they'd have fun doing it. They are honest, elegant creatures with a carnivore's single-mindedness. We are hairless apes, a species so ugly and bored that we hate ourselves and construct this daydream of culture to cover our beastliness; and we'll attack any little difference we can fixate on that might pop that bubble of dreamscape, unless its labeled art; and the Him and Her of sexuality is what drives our species into the future, definitely not a thing to be viewed as art. It is a rigid thing that our strong Men will protect while our soft ladies keep busy in the kitchen. Haha, thanks for the trip. I'm sorry if you or your loved ones were hurt, our culture is a malformed thing with claws in places where it doesn't need them, and pained people looking for places to inflict it. Happy Saturday, I'm swimming with the Wild Turkey. Haha

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for your kind thoughtful words, Matt, much respect. I hope you are doing well. I am often taken to my own personal belief on social issues. Ignorance is a choice that only knowledge and its truthful pursuits can resolve. One chooses to be ignorant and much like hate it speak to the content of their character, as well as their incurious nature. People often fear what they do not know much about nor belive in. We are a rare creature in this world, though perhaps not the only, for we understand the concept of morality. We know what is right, and what is wrong. Societal, or cultural influence may at times enter into the equation minimally in the end they do not dissuade our responsibilities in making the right choice. They do not absolve the error of our ways to choose Ignorance over truth. Love over hate. The poem was heavily influenced by my grandmother who taught me about love. And my brother who is part of the LGBTQ community who taught me how to love bravely.

[mattavelli]

"People often fear what they do not know much about nor belive in."
“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” — Yoda

I see the groupthink. I see hate where hate is socially acceptable, culturally conditioned. I was out of the country for seven years, from 2008. When I came back, it was culture shock. The TV screens people had worshipped had become smartphone screens carried everywhere, the music had all become country white and hip hop black, the democrats had redefined "insurance" and the gop were about to elect the bankruptcy guy to the presidency, and somehow elementary math has changed. I feel like I'm living in a cartoon. Half the country thought covid was fake for a year. I'd like to see this as a culture of individuality, but all those individuals have their faces plugged into the same internet, feeding into and off of the same cartoonish logic, a circular argument that left truth and personal responsibility behind when it took up the mask of online anonymity. So maybe I see things a bit differently than you; maybe thats individuality. Haha
As I see it, like racism, hatred of the LGBTQs is becoming more and more unacceptable within our culture. At least it used to seem like racism was fading. Now it seems everyone hates each other. Haha
I enjoy chatting with you. You're a thinker with interesting topics. :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

And I enjoy our conversations as well. I am in agreement with many of your assessments. They are wisely and eloquently spoken. I try to remain optimistic much as you state many beliefs are engraved into our culture and span generations of thought. My mother who is a woman of deep faith showed her hypocrisy when she stated to me during a conversation that she loved my brother but that he was going to hell for being sinful. It wounded me deeply hearing such thoughts for a child she gave birth too. If she could not accept him for being true to himself, then she does deserve me as a son as well. It is up to us to change our culture by teaching that such things are unacceptable and have no place in the world. We do this by teaching our children the best virtue of our humanity. Love. Thank you Matt for sharing your insights on the world as you see it. You have a kindness and hope that is reflected in your words and art.