You always protected me
You were dissuasive
And discouraged me from being evasive
You bid me to be mindful of my problems
I tried to ward off my imaginary goblins

For a long time
I thought I lived in a shrine
And everyone would be kind
But I realized not everyone is a saint
So I shut myself up with my paint

I let myself go
And my creativity flowed
Then I knew that everyone is unique
And that inspired me to be myself
It let me cooperate with everyone else

I opened up
Like a blossoming rose
I became open minded
Yet what I believed in, I did not stow
I learned to accept with kindness

You were always there for me
From you, I learned of compassion
A strong force against hate
It is something great to be taught
And lest it be for naught

I will use this teaching
To fight the pain and suffering
Of as many as I can reach
Because, while many might beg to differ
We are all brought together by diversity