Moment

"Rugged individualism" was a term

I had heard as a girl--

I loved it. It spoke of self-reliance,

Of cowboys and wagon trains

Of soldiers and adventurers

Of the person I wanted so badly to be.

There are other words others use

To describe this in me:

Stubbornness. Pigheadedness.

Self righteousness. Pride.

But I didn't want to rely on others.

I would do a thing myself, or not.

I know we were not built to live alone,

But perhaps I thought it weakness

To ask for help from anyone.

I have been the smart one

And I've been the strong one

The one to call when a thing needs doing.

How could I then be the one in need?

It seems so weak--and I have always

Disdained weakness. But there is a moment

Sometime in my past or future

When I have or will realize

That it is no shame to be human.