"I See Me"—A Poem By Senior Survivor Mentor, Tonya Morris

Who am I, I am old/young gifted with a spirit

The supervisor of my mental, spiritual soul, activist of my voice—Do I have a choice

Do you see me

I am a black woman, worthy, authentic, grateful—compassionately with courage, who campaigns for herself

Do you see me

I am a visionary of my past reclaiming the power of my future

As I stand in front of you and told you who I am: my past, present, future

Will you use my history against me or will you see courage, hope, grace

Judge or judge not, I am a beacon of change—H.S.I.C

Head Sister In Charge of my limitedness, my greatness, my worth, my faith

Do you see me

Don’t judge me by my hairstyle, the clothes I wear, or the colors I see

If I identify as he, they, she

Don’t judge the color of my skin, my past I was in

I have a degree in faith, change, creativity, I have a degree in “ME”

Look in my eyes as I rise, with respect and gratitude, I am a child of God

I am a mother, friend, teacher, I am what you see—no gray in between

I am the foundation of strength as I rise to the next level

I am true to me, iconic me, I am a survivor of life, vision of hope

The voice you hear uplifting with courage ambitions and goals “I am greatness”

Do you see me

I SEE ME

By Tonya Morris
My Life My Choice Senior Survivor Mentor and Training Specialist