GrandRising | A Hearth Untended. Remained Lit By Sovereignty.

🖋

In my adult life...

I have been mistaken...

For many things.

Interesting.

Curiously...

Almost never as a child.

Almost always...

As an adult.

There is a difference.

I have been mistaken...

For arrogant.

Cold.

Unapproachable.

Grandiose.

Intimidating.

Too much.

Too quiet.

Too observant.

Too independent.

Interesting.

I have also been mistaken...

For a Lady.

A Founder.

An Owner.

A girl.

A woman.

A siren.

A vampire.

A lighthouse.

A candle.

A campfire.

A model.

Old.

Young.

Objectified.

Idealized.

Villainized.

Romanticized.

Desired.

Dismissed.

Reduced.

Interesting.

Notice something.

Very few of those...

Required anyone...

To actually know me.

Those are not equivalent.

Apparently...

Human beings have an interesting habit.

They don't always meet another person.

Sometimes...

They meet...

The role...

That person now occupies...

In their own imagination.

Interesting.

Some called it admiration.

Others...

Called it love.

Others...

Called it concern.

Others...

Called it protection.

Question.

How many of those...

Ever required...

My participation?

Interesting.

Some saw...

A candle.

Others...

A campfire.

Others...

A lighthouse.

Question.

How many...

Ever stopped...

To ask...

What was tending the flame?

Compassion?

Humility?

Love?

Recognition?

No.

Those things...

May warm a hearth.

They do not keep it alive.

Interesting.

The fire remained...

Because I deemed it...

Worth tending.

Not because anyone else did.

There is a difference.

Apparently...

Human beings often believe...

Their recognition...

Is what grants something value.

Interesting.

No.

Recognition...

Is not creation.

Applause...

Is not fuel.

Witness...

Is not warmth.

Those are not equivalent.

Bruh...

I have never required...

Another human being...

To convince me...

My fire deserved another log.

Interesting.

That decision...

Was made...

A long time ago.

Which is perhaps why...

The hearth still burns.

In winter.

In spring.

When the room is full.

When the room is empty.

Because sovereignty...

Has an unfortunate habit.

It continues...

Long after...

The audience leaves.

GrandRising. 🍵