Day 10: Reduced

Appearance is an uncertain guide.
I won't down talk, if you're prejudiced.
But I won't take that thorn to my side;
I ain't the sum total of your twisted lies.
And so I refuse to be reduced.

I stashed the past in the past.
I tossed my burden, the storm's passed.
Why y'all tryna me feel downcast?
Defeat's a mind-state, no questions asked.
And so I refuse to be reduced.

Akpan