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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN#/ISBN# issue/book “Shining” cc&d, v284 (the June 2018 25-year anniversary issue) Order this as a 6"x9" paperback book:

Order this writing in the issue book Across the Wall the cc&d May-Aug. 2018 issues & chapbooks collection book		get the 372 page May-Aug. 2018 cc&d magazine issue collection 6" x 9" ISBN#035; paperback book:

won’t stop shining

Linda M. Crate

go ahead and hurt me
just know i’ll bite back
won’t be the voiceless victim
mute and unable to speak for herself
i have a voice,
and no one will strip it from me;
my history won’t be rewritten
let the books remember me as unflinchingly brave
and endlessly kind—

because i will follow my dreams and burn bridges
to any negative person or thought
because life’s too short to lay in seas of misery
wondering what’s wrong with me when someone takes
issue with who i am
because i am who and what i am
owning no one any apology and i won’t give one
i am a magic, a power, a beauty, a light, a love, an intensity

all my own and anyone who does not like my
earth, water, wind, fire, or metal
can kiss my ass;
i am done trying to please everyone
that’s something that can never be done—
i am done crucifying myself for others
going to shine bright, follow my own dreams and ambitions;
only those who support me will feel my presence in their lives.

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