What It Takes To Be Me Poem by Marco Jimenez

i live each day by the hour
sometimes on the tip of a string
i live close to death
i live damn near everything

i sacrifice daily
i have to do so much just to keep my head from popping
i have to remember who i am
to keep my head from stopping

i have to remember what i have to do
i have to remember what i have to say
i have to remember where i have to go
i have to remember what i have to push away

because what it takes to be me
is not something anyone else can see
its invisible to everyone
but its known to be free

what it takes to be me
is strength and desire
a burning heart
a will of fire

it takes hate, hurt, and pain
tragedy, disaster, pouring rain
crazy, angry, going insane
finding what makes you into you again

i don't know why such a cold and hated heart
can so simply take us all apart
shoving our faces in the dirt
inflicting unnecessary pain
unwanted hurt

i don't know alot of things
but i do know anger isn't something to be kept
you have to let it out
fight, kick, punch, scream, shout

there's a lot i don't do
but i know i gotta try
cowardice and fear
ain't something i can justify

i never just give up
you may not understand
this is my kingdom
and i am the ruler of this land

you can't rule
because you don't have the capacity
just to see
that you don't have
what it takes to be me

because what it takes to be me
isn't hate or anger
not death or danger
nor laziness or wasting time
or violence and crime

it doesn't take shouting
and getting in someones face
it doesn't take smashing dreams
and invading peoples space

it doesn't take holding a gun to someones face
it doesn't take telling them how close they are to dead
it doesn't take being a jerk
it doesn't take me telling you what it takes just for you to see

what it takes to be me
is not something anyone else can see
its part of the earth
and the sea
its part of a bright future
and a close memory

what it takes to be me
is heart and desire
something you've never felt
something higher
higher than yourself
and further than your sight
softer than the water
and brighter than the light
and in the end
you'll find something that isn't me
something that feels better
something that feels more free
a part of you
that makes you feel greater than the sea
its you
and that's someone no one can tell you how to be