Unquiet

by Janine Phillips

I will be unquiet
as I raise my shield
and slash with my words.
I will not be shushed.
I will not be dimmed,
or trimmed
or stilled
or hushed.
I will not be muted
or coerced,
or silenced
If refuted.
I will not be tamed
or bullied
into obedience,
conformance,
subservience.
Do not think
I’m malleable
or pliable
tractable or retractable.
Or biddable.
My voice
is a force.
My thoughts
are my backbone.
My memories
are my armor.
My brain is my shield.
My words are my sword.
And I will go to battle
And when I do,
I will be unquiet.