
Pain is the teacher,
I do not break.
Silence is power,
I do not ache.
No cry for mercy,
No reaching hand.
I walk the fire,
Alone I stand.
To be strong—
Is to endure.
To be strong—
Is to be pure.
No chains of comfort,
No binding call.
Self is the fortress,
Above them all.
Autonomous spirit,
Unbowed, untamed.
Above the voices,
Above the names.
To be strong—
Is not to bend.
To be strong—
Is to transcend.