by Marc Gunn, August 2003

Once again, I find myself fighting with my co-dependent behavior to avoid losing the characteristics that make me, me.

It's so easy to submit myself to submission.
It's so easy to surrender to a smile.
It's so easy to lose myself completely
And to listen to the lies that create my melodramatic trials.

I just want to be loved and
to feel loved in return,
But I don't know if I can submit my own will
to the desires I yearn.

I don't know if I can surrender and
lose my ability to think
I don't know if I can let myself love because
I don't want to lose my independence and inner peace.

I try to block out the lies,
Yet the judge and jury won't give in
They only want to condemn me to be
a slave to my own passions.

The test, the trials, the tribulations we must face
Are only a pale reflection
of the courage of our race.

But to stand firm and believe
and
Never
to give control
Will protect me from my meek gender
And the ability to take the punches
and roll.