no apologies
I won’t apologize for being strong,
I won’t apologize for being fierce;
I’m not offering any more apologies,
For getting over my fears.
You can try to shame me,
With your endless projections;
But don’t be surprised,
If you’re met with my rejection.
I never was a Disney princess,
Locked away on an ivory tower;
I’m not the gal to sit around,
Sulking about rain showers.
I have determination,
Hard-earned wisdom and wit;
I’m working through my issues,
So get the f^ck over it!
I won’t own your anger,
Your confusion and your rage;
Those are not the feelings,
I wish to engage.
Instead of blaming,
And throwing others shade;
Why don’t you work on yourself,
If you think you’re so damn brave!
Hypothetical situations,
Can be really fun;
But if everyone is arguing,
What is truly getting done?
If you are so freaking busy,
Being triggered by another’s opinion;
You might give some thought,
To: you’re a mindless minion.
Being self actualized,
And becoming self aware;
Doesn’t mean you stop growing,
Or that you just don’t care.
It means you broaden your horizons,
Consider alternative points of view;
And that it just might be okay,
If someone believes differently than you.
Leslie Bertrand
©️Paradoxical Phoenix
#paradoxicalphoenixignite
3 May 2026 revised
This has such a strong, unapologetic voice. You can feel the conviction all the way through, like it’s not just written, it’s claimed. The rhythm keeps it moving, but it’s the attitude that really carries it.
Lines like “I won’t own your anger” and “I’m working through my issues” hit because they draw a clear boundary without overexplaining. It feels empowering without trying too hard to convince anyone.
There’s also a nice balance between calling things out and turning the focus inward toward growth and self-awareness. That keeps it from feeling one-dimensional.
It reads like someone who has reached a point where they’re done shrinking.
What stayed with me after reading this poem is how it feels like someone finally standing up straight after years of being pushed down. There’s this raw, tired strength in the voice — not loud, not dramatic, just honest. I could feel the frustration behind the lines about carrying other people’s anger, that sense of “I’m done holding what isn’t mine.” And the refusal to apologize for being strong or fierce feels earned, not performative. What hit hardest was the reminder that self‑awareness isn’t about being perfect; it’s about growing, even when it’s messy and uncomfortable. The poem calls out the pointless noise of constant arguments in a way that feels very real. What lingers is the sense of someone who has fought hard to know themselves and won’t let anyone drag them back. It’s bold, fed up, and deeply human.