If I Conform

A Poem

Photo by David Rotimi on Unsplash

conform

the word sits like an unwelcome
squatter inside the home on my tongue

if I retract the promise made to self
to move unrelentingly henceforth

if I step back to avoid offense
in someone else’s mind

if I disappear into the shadows
of my own despair just to fall in line

if I become small and non-threatening
if I halt until graced with your blessing

if your bristle and your bray
become louder than my dreams

then this path will no longer be mine.