Four feet eleven inches.

Shorter than everybody. Shorter than my role models. Shorter than my enemies.

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Shorter than my three younger siblings.

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It took me a while to realize I was the only one who cared.

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I was the only one frustrated by how close my seat was to the gas pedal.

 

I was the only one bothered by asking a stranger for a box of cereal from the top shelf.

 

I felt everybody looking down at me. So I gave them reason to keep looking. 

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I found a new approach on my tip toes. Stole attention with my ideas.

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Wrote as if each word kept me from disappearing.

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Decided every risk I took would give me another inch. Dared myself to grow.

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Picked up a pen every time small meant less.

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Revised expectations. Started making plans.

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I'll challenge assumptions with a tweet. Use their perspective as my punchline. ​

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Gonna crack jokes on air, live from Studio 8H.

 

I'll interrupt their podcast, blow up in their feed,​

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Change the game with a manifesto. Stream it on ESPN.

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Yeah, screw their experience, their status, their stature.

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Give me a stage, I'll lower the mic.

 

Put on a show.​ Call it The 4'11".