Act of Defiance

I build to break,

and to keep myself from breaking.

I build towers with stories 

that pierce the heavens.

I build to mend myself

from the horrors of the ground beneath me.

I cannot jump from my tower.

My death would be the ultimate victory of evil.

And yet,

I look down from the stories so high,

the pavement seems almost enticing–

But I cannot!

I cannot disappoint the efforts

of those who have come before me.

I cannot end my story this way.

I cannot dash 

all the hopes that were given to me,

Even if I feel no hope at all.

I have come to understand creation

as an act of defiance.

The world, this boundless world,

exists because “something” was tired of emptiness.

The tower of Babel fell

because “something” was afraid to be replaced.

I write these words because someday,

“something” will judge me for my actions,

and I can only hope the stories I tell

have not fallen flat on the pavement.