Do not defend me in anger, or hate
Dehumanize, dismiss, or crudely berate
Kindle my views for your personal fire
Include me by force in your venomous choir

We may share a history, culture… or breasts
Or pride, fear, or loathing of others oppressed
Alas, fury’s blast is a suicide pill
Arresting progress with its self-righteous chill

In turn I’ll stand up for your own right to be
The you that is you, as the me that is me
Not deconstructed by, say, race sex or creed
But as red.
Which we all share.
The color
We bleed.

Thanks for readin’.

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