Legitimacy

I used to wait 

For someone to call me forward 

To tell me I belonged

To hand me the certificate that said I was worthy enough

But no one came

And I got tired of standing in the hallway 

Of my own life

Waiting to be named

So, I gathered the scraps

Of everything I’ve lived

Stitched them into something 

I could wear on my skin

And called it mine

Not necessarily perfect 

But mine

A legitimacy not granted by the world

But breathed into being

By my own becoming

I stopped looking for permission 

I stopped asking to be seen

I stood up

Shaky but certain

And took up space

Like I belonged there 

Because I did

Because I do

My life is my proof

My voice is my seal

My story is my offering

No more waiting at the gate

Or shrinking at the edge 

I choose to stand in my life 

And take my place 

This is my legitimacy 

Not handed down

Or signed off

Not filtered or approved 

But

Claimed

Lived and owned