Built From Bruises—by Shivani Kumari

I won’t stay shut and let people belittle me–
I have swallowed enough storms in silence.
Every insult carved fire beneath my ribs,
Every dismissal sharpened my existence.
They mistook my softness for surrender,
My patience for fear,
But oceans stay calm too
Before they drown entire ships.
I am no longer shrinking
To fit inside fragile opinions.
I have spent too many years apologizing
For taking up space in this world.
Now my voice walks in like thunder,
Unashamed of its volume.
I will not bend my spine
Just to make arrogance comfortable.
If they throw stones at my becoming,
I will build a kingdom from the ruins.