I Cry Inside (But I Rise)

The poem reflects inner conflict, silent grief, and growing empowerment sparked by witnessing activists, auditors, and principled law enforcement rise against injustice.

They told me I had rights, But they buried 'em deep where fear bites. 

Didn’t read 'em to me, didn’t teach 'em in class, just routine silence, so I let ignorance pass.

Eyes open wide when the auditors rolled, Filming truths, real bold, never sold. Words like “Fourth,” “First,” “due process” and fire, burned through my doubt and lit up desire.

I stood nonchalant on the curbside scene, but inside, I cheered like a freedom queen. Couldn’t clap loud, didn’t chant, didn’t shout, Fear wears camouflage and knows my route.

I cry inside, for folks acting a fool, not knowing the law, all the bruises earned for standing in awe. I cry for the blue who read their oath, who serve the people, and not play both.

For the ones in uniform, justice in heart, but stuck in a system that’s tearing apart. Caught between duty and backlash flame, Knowing the rules, but not the game.

And I cry deep, for those with vengeance stitched to their badge, Wielding fear like a polished edge. Retaliation ain't protection, it's decay, Turning peacekeepers into predators of the day.

But still - Through the lens, the mic, the march, the pain, I learn what freedom really should contain. I rise a little every time I cry, because knowledge lifts, and rights don’t die.

So here I am… Still watching, still quiet, still near, still stitched with trembling, stitched with cheer. 

But the camera lens caught more than a scene-- It caught a woman waking in between.

Author's Note

This poem is written from a deeply personal place of reflection, pain, and admiration. Please consider the emotional layers—it's not just about law, but about transformation, understanding, and the quiet power of rising. Feedback on rhythm and message impact is welcome.

Reviews

[Ayesha Faiz]

This poem almost resonates with me in many things like with all the emotions hidden in it. I could really feel them well. This poem captures the silent struggles so many people face, the fear, the confusion, the quiet resistance... The way you describe learning about rights, seeing injustice, and holding back emotions out of fear feels so real and relatable. There’s strength in your softness, and a quiet kind of courage that rises with each verse. You didn’t just write words, you told a story of waking up, of seeing clearly, and of choosing to care even when it’s hard. To believe there's still hope even when it's impossible. Afterall, the light shines the brightest when it's complete darkness.
I enjoyed it well. Thanks for sharing!

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Ayesha, I just want you to know your words reached me deeply, so much so that I cried reading it. Not out of sadness, but out of that kind of relief you feel when someone sees you clearly. When I wrote this piece, I was aching, unsure whether anyone would understand or feel the pulse behind each line. I almost didn't post it… But I did. And you showed me that choosing to share was worth it.

Your reflection captured not just the message, but the silence, the trembling, the courage stitched between the verses. That feeling of being caught between fear and rising--it’s something I know too well. And now, I feel less alone in it.

Thank you for sitting with the emotions, for resonating with the quiet resistance, and for reminding me that even quiet hope is still hope. You didn’t just comment--you honored the story.

With gratitude and strength,

Gregoria

[Ayesha Faiz]

It's okay to cry. It's okay to feel pain. It's okay to be uncertain or to feel alone. Just remember, even in the darkest moments, there is still hope.
I say these words to encourage others, but truthfully, I sometimes feel lost too. I don’t always know what to do. Yet, I always find a way to stand back up. My goal is simple: I truly want to make people smile...not fake smiles, but real, heartfelt ones. I want to see people genuinely happy. Life isn’t meant to be easy all the time. Struggles are part of the balance. Without them, we wouldn’t truly understand joy.
When you fall, don't rely on others to lend you a hand and help you stand up.. I mean why would you?? When God has given you a pair of well working legs, hands, and when you have sight, ears, limbs.. Why would you need others to help you? In life, we sometimes think that oh, maybe my friend truly is sincere to me so I should trust her, but believe me, in the end, everyone chooses themselves. Always be strong and happy with what you have.
Best regards!
-Ayesha

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you for sharing this heartfelt reflection. Your strength in acknowledging both the light and the shadows is powerful, and I deeply admire your desire to bring real smiles into the world. That intention alone is a kind of healing.

I agree, there’s beauty in standing up on our own, in realizing what we’ve been gifted with. But sometimes, grace also lives in reaching out. Not because we’re weak, but because connection is part of resilience too. After all, even trees lean on wind and rain to grow, and even stars shine brighter in constellations.

We rise in many ways, and your words reminded me of that. I appreciate the honesty, and I see your hope.

Warm regards,

Gregoria