Anywhere I Please
© Demian Yumei
Do I wear my heart on my sleeve? Damn straight I do.
Betrayed, crushed and used from early childhood on,
I can wear my heart anywhere I damn well please.
If my father could wear my heart on the sole of his shoe,
if the world can close its heart to the plight of children,
then I can wear my heart anywhere I please.
If politicians can lock their hearts in a safe deposit box
and vote to gut programs that feed the hungry,
that house the homeless
and protect the children,
then I can wear my heart on my sleeve,
on my head as a crown,
as an offering to the creative muses of night
and the dawning light of day.
Don’t criticize me for caring so deeply,
my heart breaks when I see injustice.
Don’t tell me what to do with my heart.
I’m a bleeding heart tree-hugger.
And I will let my heart bleed
and break
and cry out
in love and pain and grief and fury
with obstinate compassion
and fearsome love in every beat,
because that’s what hearts are meant to do.
My choice, my right
what I do with my heart.
What are you going to do with yours?
~ demian