I didn’t reach the top
by listening to pretentious voices
right or wrong
I made my decisions, my choices
A step at a time
One foot in front of the other
An achiever
A resolver
I wanted you to be proud, Mother.
I didn’t have anyone
covering my back when things were rough
I brazened it out
pretending, mostly, I was tough.
I never sought to give in
I never wanted to derail
I never wanted to say these words
‘I failed’.

(Now read from bottom up)