Unshaken

The words were spoken

And the stories, told

Of how our voices were broken,

And our efforts, vain.

In the land where justice was alien,

And the country here truth was a lie,

I was the oppressed,

The oppressed, the abused and the denied of life.

By the leaders and powers that be,

Cursed I was and hopeless I'll be.

But did I ever want to be oppressed?

Did I ever choose to be depressed?

The existing system put me in bondage,

The society fostered my fear.

They were afraid of my tears,

That they would liberate the people from bondage.

I fought against the oppressive system,

Tried to give people a chance to choose.

I stood on the forefront as a rebel,

But rather than win, I fought to lose.

So in my present situation,

I could decide to quit and run away.

I could give in to societal pressure,

I could let my fears put me away.

But to many, I have become a beacon,

Someone who rekindles hope in their hearts.

If I quit, with failure they'll reckon

And again, fear will dwell in their hearts.

Indeed I see I have to choose.

If I quit, there's a lot to lose.

So I shake off the dust from my past

And run out again to stand and fight.

For what my yesterday made of me

Will never define who I'll be.

Indeed I am a conqueror,

Over the system that oppressed me, I am a  victor.

Even when it seems I am losing, 

I will stand my ground and keep fighting. 

Indeed this is who I choose to be, 

The one who will never quit! 

~Omotolola RK.