Maria D. Reis
Who am I ??
I am the woman who, as a child,
was often called "little crooked head,"
among other names.
I felt belittled
and always saw myself as the ugly duckling.
I would hide to cry and vent my pain.
I was too small to understand
why they hurt me.
I hid
because I felt ashamed of being humiliated and didn’t want them to see me sad
and tearful.
But the tears didn’t make me weak.
WHO AM I?
I am the woman who faced adversity
and never gave up fighting.
I never lost hope for a better tomorrow.
I never sought trouble,
but I was forced to defend myself.
I was too stubborn to stand idly by.
I grew up in a silent inner revolt
that I masked with a smile
because I didn’t want to be like them.
That toughness made me strong and flexible.
Sometimes, the strong wind bent me,
but my flexibility wouldn’t let me break.
WHO AM I?
I am the woman who never lost faith
that one day the truth would be restored.
I made my mind my battlefield.
I fought with loyalty,
and today all my demons are at rest.
I longed for adulthood,
and when I turned 21,
I spread my wings, took flight, and soared!
Many years later,
fate determined that I would care
for those who didn’t love me,
but whom I never stopped loving!
@Maria D. Reis
05/09/26
Portugal
