I am not your prognosis; your diagnosis, nor your pills
I am not your medication; your persuasion to keep me still
I am not your categorisation of a man that could kill
I am not your choice to keep me ‘mentally ill’

I am loyal son and father
I am lover, and friend
I am not done living
Didn’t get to the end!
I have hopes, I have dreams,
I have God…I believe

So won’t you please…

Quit labeling, disabling and fearing the man
The colours in my mind are not who I am
This blackness maligned is where it began
Identity denied as you misunderstand

I am beyond the medical history you quote
Someone other than words in your notes
More than the look in the eyes of white coats
I know who I am, even if you don’t…

Photo by Nico Marks on Unsplash