Six speakers weave verses about fighting personal and collective struggle. They repeat motifs of inner awakening and confronting fear, using storytelling as a weapon to preserve truth. The piece culminates in a declaration of agency and determination to find a way forward.
Chapters
I must begin again. The battle never ends, and every day I struggle more. It's like a stone lays upon my chest, and every heavy breath is harder than the one before.
Somehow I must keep going.
Somehow I must be brave.
Somehow I must be stronger than the tidal wave.
No matter how my heart breaks, I'll raise up my voice and say, I will stand in the face of the fire.
Fire, I won't be afraid.
Something inside me wakes.
I'll fight and I'll seize the day.
As I stand in the face of the fire, I won't be afraid.
I'll find a way. And when I can't go on, I hear my I hear mother's voice. She tells me don't give in to fear. I'll write down everything this twisted maze will bring so my stories won't disappear.
Each word will be like a mission, a sword that cuts through the lies.
Somehow I'll find a place where truth will rise.
This is a moment where history flows. I'll stand up much taller and say it's my turn.
This is a starting place.
With feet on the ground, I'll say—
I will stand in the face of the fire, I won't be afraid.
Something inside me wakes, I'll fight and I'll seize the day.
As I stand in the face of the fire, I won't be afraid.
I'll find a way, I'll find a way. I'll find a way.
