"Here I Stand" Inspired by The Finalists:

Here I Stand

The contradiction of family:

I can be the apple that doesn’t fall far from the tree

and the black sheep of the family

depending on whichever judgment

is most convenient.

Just because we share

blood

does not mean we share

thoughts

words

actions

convictions.

When my father was revered,

I was respected.

Now that he has fallen in society’s eyes,

so have I.

Here I stand condemned

for choices I did not make

for actions that were not mine

for incidents that concluded before my life began.

Here I stand condemned

facing trial

facing punishment

when he who is at fault

is nowhere to be found.