People often hide their true selves

behind a mask, behind a curtain, an intricately woven facade

finely stitched so as to alter people's impressions of them;

people they don't know, people that don't matter

complete strangers who's opinions hold no meaningful weight.

Yet everyone seems so afraid to let their real light shine through

for fear of judgement, or of rejection perhaps

but these are temporary pains, and I cannot imagine they compare

to the pain of pretending your way through life. 

Someone somewhere is going to joyfully bathe in the light you give off

they'll love each quirk and each small facet of your personality (event the ones you don't like) 

but even these thoughts are as miniscule as the bits of dust floating through your beams of light. 

The ultimate power you can possess is love of yourself

confidence in your abilities, confidence even in your flaws, acceptance of your ways

possessing this, you can lead armies, you can captain ships, you can conquer far away lands

No one can get hurt you if you're supportive and accepting of yourself. 

And that is why my curtain is permanently tied back with a metal chain.

Because I refuse to let others govern how I live my life.