I don’t have to be a drunk.

I don’t have to be a failure.

I don’t have to be crazy.
I don’t have to be lost.

I don’t have to be loved.
I don’t have to run.

I don’t have to show all my cards,
I don’t have to see everyone else’s,

I don’t have to know.
I don’t have to hate.

I have to love.

I have to keep fighting,
I have to seek.

I have to write.

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Assistant Editor: Bronwyn Petry
Photo: Drew Coffman, Flickr Creative Commons