Gossamer armor cloaks frail human flesh—
a velveteen shield turns away steel.
For though
shards of ice
have dealt many a blow
my heart yet beats warm and willing
to feel.
You may wear my patience thin, drive me to rage,
but here’s a warning you should not ignore:
I’ve been tried
and tempered
and though, before, cried,
pain will guide me no more.
So curse me and shun me, hate me if you wish—
but you’ve trained me to withstand attack.
I’ll take your ire
and use it as fuel
for my fire
to torch bridges and never look back.
