As a result of declaring, br My prerogative. br The knots and bruises, br Once appearing on my thick head. br Have cleared. br br A reluctant introduction to patience, br Stood in my way. br And dared me to move. br I felt a wobbling in my legs. br And my feet froze too. br br Blessed I was to have been made to listen. br br That prerogative of mine, br With a braggadociousness. br In my mind I defined has gone. br And I'm glad it has. br But that sass I still have remains to alarm. br I was once told by my mom. br Being sassy is in my genes.br br Lawrence S.