I walk toward
A journey from reality to realization
From four-walled caves
dimmed with fear
lit with power
Pressed to floor, pinned to planks, splintered by broken spirits
Torn
Engulfed by the excuses
Victimized by
Turned Away
Thrown a Blind Eye
Given Up On
Sold
Memory is foul play, massacred childhood, matured by misogynists
I was taken away
The litmus test of a survivor is whether I can work, whether I can be
accepted socially, whether I can withstand temptations of suicide,
whether I can be married
I am in a class of my own
Deciding to overcome the threshold of hegemony
Vulnerable to the world’s caring
Undecided on when trust matters
Wondering what agency means
Or just battling pain, questioning the earth, scorning
Wonder
Future
Possible
Sorting voices

I walk toward
“Close your eyes.  Breathe.”
Tremors come from mouths, choking, gasping.
Cannot exhale. Cannot find inhale.
Short, abrupt, staccato sounds
Day one stands still

I walk toward.
“Tree. Warrior. Salutation.”
Trees search for fertile ground, desiring to be rooted
Training begins with the armor of protection
Greetings exchanged triggering a welcome

I walk toward
“Tina Sister, Massage me.”
Massage me
to break misogyny
Tell me I can be

We overcome Day one at a time
Without promise, but with hope to lessen the recoiling and to displace
the disturbed dream
I call forth the little girl warrior, Pose into new abundance daily,
and dance on to give the present