By: Cooper

I refuse to lose
The daily fight to hold strongly
Onto the cliff of my struggles
My strength to pull myself up
From my face plants of mistakes
My patience to move past the ignorance
And negative people around me

I refuse to lose
The battle within myself not to do evil
And make positive decisions
That will take me step by step
To a brighter future
My dreams, hopes, and foresight

I refuse to lose
The head-on my shoulders
Because of being afraid to be me
And falling into the common stereotypes
Of the “Black man in America”

This battle is lifelong
And I am a soldier committed to it
From the marrow of my bones
And deep within my soul
I refuse…

Therefore…I will not lose.