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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Roman Remains” Down in the Dirt, v187 (the September 2021 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Stardust in Hand the Down in the Dirt Sept.-Dec. 2021 issues collection book		get the 422 page Sept.-Dec. 2021 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Fortitude

Michelle Fulkerson

Strength is
voicing your opinions
fighting for what you believe in
like the civil rights movement or gay liberation
Cleve Jones and his quilt along the
White house lawn
Strength is the Women’s marches, thousands strong
together we stand to fight for equality

Strength is power
Power through well-crafted words
Power through diversity
for no two faces are the same and each has a story to tell
the power to stand up
to be vulnerable and honest
especially when it’s hard

Strength is laughter
the ability to joke about your flaws
and to dance in others’ harsh words
to let them roll off your back
like rainfall on a rooftop

Strength is a baby bird
flying from the nest
for the very first time
clumsy and unsure
spreading its wings open to the unknown
and soaring high above it all

Strength is trying again
even after you’ve fallen too many times to count
for with strength you will find your feet again
Strength is not how much you can lift in the weight room
or the number of miles you can run
Strength is being alive
and admitting when you’ve done wrong
Strength can never be diminished, for it is hope in our soul
slowly burning, a candle that never goes out.

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