Wisdom for dark days

So please don’t ever mistake

my silence for indifference. 

Don’t ever think my determination

to keep living my life

as fully and bountifully as possible

represents cold nonchalance.

And please don’t ever assume

that my cheerful silliness

is flagrant disrespect.

This is just simply me

choosing hope in the midst of despair,

choosing light while the dark is creeping in,

choosing good despite evil.

This is me choosing life.

Because that’s all I know how to do.

- Stacy Brown
April 18, 2013