I have dignity,
he said,
and it was true
and we were glad
to know he knew.
This navigation
through the floes
of people trying out identities,
the lurches and convergences,
the flowing, the repelling,
calls for vigilance
against submerged projectiles.
It’s good to have a solid grasp
of what of you can bend
and what must stay unmoved.
You have dignity —
It serves you well.
©Wendy Mulhern
November 6, 2013