FOR THE WOMEN.

for the women who were

beaten and broken and bent 

burned and blazed and blistered

who had no choice. 

who had no choice but to turn around 

and face their abuser

face the abuse.

for the women who lived a life of 

unbelievable patience 

and compromise and compassion and kindness 

who knew their worth even when 

the world tried to deny it. 

for the women who taught their children 

to love.

always.

for the women who refused to feed the

seeds of bitterness planted in their hearts 

by their oppressors.

for the women who raised a generation 

of fighters and lovers and believers

despite the shackles around their ankles.

this poem is for you. 

they can chain our bodies

but they never chain our minds.