To be thought inferior...
To be underestimated...
To be scorned and belittled...
Is ugly.
To overcome
Is not to...
Condescend...
Or underestimate...
Or scorn...
Or belittle...
In return.
Nor is it to brave
Perceived
Indifference.
How then?
It is difficult
To elevate regard,
Or esteem,
From beneath
The heel of a boot;
Or even, the sole of a foot.
It is difficult
To respect
The weight of
A thumb.
It is disheartening
To be anonymous
Hidden
Unrecognized
Unknown.
It is ineffective
To insist upon
Or beg for
Guileless consideration.
So, how then?
I can quietly maintain perspective
And elevate myself
I can persistently
Seek excellence
Within myself
And as a consequence
Maybe...
Perhaps...
On occasion...
A magical, musical interdependence
Will
(for a time)
Validate a relationship.
It is all I've got.
Though...
I see a future
In which
Magical musical moments
Will become
More frequent
And longer lasting.
My hope
Must continue
To be active.
Within this striving
And to this moment
I am lucky.