I Don’t Kneel Anymore

I bent once. That was enough.

Used to bow to keep the peace Swallow fire, call it relief Bit my tongue till it went numb Watched respect start to run

Gave my weight to lighter men Called it patience back then But pressure changes what you see And it changed me

I won’t shrink To fit your frame

I don’t kneel anymore Not for comfort, not for war I don’t fold to keep a door I don’t bleed to feed your score If it costs me — let it pour If it burns — I want it more I stood up from that cold floor And I don’t kneel anymore

Anymore.

You called it pride — I call it spine You called it wrong — I call it mine Every scar a receipt in skin Proof I didn’t cave in

I won’t beg for borrowed grace I won’t water down my place If the world wants compromise Let it look in other eyes

You don’t grow On your knees

I don’t kneel anymore Not for silence, not for show I don’t trade my core For applause I don’t owe If you need a softer man I ain’t part of that plan I chose ground over decor I don’t kneel anymore

You don’t build strength in surrender. You build it in refusal.

I don’t kneel anymore I don’t shrink, I don’t ignore I don’t crawl across the floor Just to keep what wasn’t sure If it’s hard — I endure If it’s truth — I’m secure I don’t beg, I don’t implore And I don’t kneel anymore

Not anymore.

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