Unapologetic

"Madam you need to be present at her school,

your daughter is insolent".

I can still remember those words.

On another occasion mother came,

She asked that I apologize,

I stared at her and shook my head..."no".

"You act like you're high class".

I can remember a friend say.
I am most ashamed now,

Of the way I lowered my chin and walked away.

"I don't like the way you walk with your shoulders raised up".
Right now I could smack myself,

for I found myself later,

Walking with my head down, eyes focused on the ground.

"You laugh too loud and deep"

or was it..."you laugh too much and it's weird".

I should laugh now,

at the way her face was twisted in disgust.

They never understand.

"she too dey do sef".

I heard their whispers, 

I want to scream at myself,

for being mute and wishing I wasn't the best.

After all, other people could do it as well.

I have heard so much,

I have carried self-loathe like it was my name,

not anymore.

I am a person who chooses to have will,

who chooses to have ambitions.

I am not sorry for getting all the answers right,

not sorry that you hit me, and I refused to break,

that I refused to bow to the ground.

I am not sorry that you roll your eyes when I pass by,

not sorry that you don't crack my smile anymore,

that my words come out unfiltered.

I am not sorry that I can stare at you in the eye.

Not sorry that I am good at what I do.

I am not sorry for who I am.

I had to remind myself my crown was slipping,

I now walk with my shoulders high and my chin up.

I remain standing.

I remain unapologetic.