Dear Failure,

 

You do not define me.

I don’t care what you are or the power you have.

The pressure you give each and every day.

You may trigger fear of the future at every waking moment but

You do not define me.

 

I am stronger than you.

Day after day, you torture me, threaten me, consume me.

So many gifts you have given me, each better than the next.

I promise you though; I will return them, because

You do not define me.

 

Do you remember?

Such minor offenses, failing quiz after test,

Or that fear of not getting that job you so desperately wanted?

Yet after all of that, I’m still here, I’m still living because

You do not define me.

 

You made me believe I was a burden to my friends,

A traitor, not good enough for anyone, the worst person to ever exist.

You know that’s not true, I know that’s not true. Why?

You do not define me.

 

I don’t care what you say anymore.

After all, sometimes failure is needed to succeed

It gives that push, that external drive,

The reminder to keep going, after all

You do not define me.

 

After all these years, you still whisper in my head,

Telling me you will never succeed, that you should just give up and die.

I see now, I see the light of hope, and

You do not define me.

 

I am stronger than you.

It took me too long to see it but it’s there.

Passion, intuition, and integrity drive me more than you ever will.

You’re a hard lesson, and one I have learned to accept, but

You do not define me.

 

-Alex (Your former slave)