The Decision to Stand

I wrote this poem in honour of freedom fighters and justice warriors everywhere. Today was very reflective for me, because I'm watching a young girl in my country fight to use her voice against sexual harassment. She has dared to name her abuser, and the powerful men around him are displeased. She is supported and encouraged by the women's network here, but it takes courage to push back against such weighty institutional power. I ended up penning this poem in her honour, and in honour of the women who every day, keep making the decision to stand. 

 

The Decision to Stand

by Ruth Howard (c) 2022

 

If I stand alone,

It doesn’t matter

Because I’ve made the decision to stand

 

If a crowd joins me,

I won’t feel flattered

Because I’ve made my decision to stand

 

I may lose friends and family

Everybody may disown me

But I’ve made my decision to stand

 

I may be slandered and maligned

And unfairly criticised

But I’ve made my decision to stand

 

I stand

Because I must

Because the cause

Demands it of me

 

I stand

Because I can

For those who can’t

And wish they could

 

I stand

Simply because

I cannot stay seated

I cannot be quiet

I cannot play dumb

 

I cannot pretend

Not to see what I’ve seen

Not to live what I’ve lived

Not to love who I love

 

I will not pretend

Not to care for my people

Not to care for my planet

And what we will become

 

I will not believe

That the future doesn’t matter

That the future can’t be better

That we’re hopeless and done

 

I must do something

To protect the gains made

To preserve the souls saved

To keep this fight going strong

To keep this fire blazing on

To move this great race along

 

So.

 

If I lose your friendship

And your love, and your blessing

I’ll still make the decision to stand

 

And tomorrow when I die

From feet cramped, swollen, tired

I’ll die living my decision to stand