Poem: On Principle

On Principle

I will not do it, no, they
are wrong, even if it destroys
me, I will not let them
make me do that, it is
wrong, a wrong that taints
all that surrounds it, seeps
out, turns rancid what might
have once been beautiful
in ripeness, the wrong
has destroyed it,
I will not let it within
myself, will not
succumb, even though
you tell me I must,
even when it is
a fight no one thinks
I can ever win.

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