I still hold the smallest flickering flame of hope Smoldering painfully in my belly I keep trying to stomp it out Smother it But it persists Despite the obvious futility of its existence It will not listen to reason Will not extinguish beneath showers of bitter tears I must endure it Ignore it Until it gutters and dies on its own
On this ordinary October day I did my part to change the world In a most extraordinary way I voted For who I hope will be Our first woman president With proud ancestors at my back My children’s future cast before me I released my grain of sand into the glass To do my small part to move us forward Towards a future the mothers preceding me Could only hope to dream of For their progeny
Before I enter my “Healed Woman” era I must detour into my “Villain” era You see… I was cast in the villain role for so long I might as well embrace the casting for a term With that said… Do not be concerned at my black wardrobe My blood red lips Do not pay mind to my near silent mumbling As I light candles and cast salt about Fret not over my narrowed, focused eyes Rimmed in thick black liner As I observe and calculate my options Do not wonder about the herb-coated offerings Laid out beneath the full moon None of it is your concern Cross the street Avert your gaze Do not trouble yourself wondering in my direction I’m embracing my dark side Doing my shadow work If my shadow is meant to fall upon you You will know
When you came into my life You promised to be my everything You destroyed everything instead My hopes My dreams My confidence My joy My ability to love you My ability to love me So I made sure to take everything When I left