His drunken fingers fumbling

And the slurring of his 

Demands to be quiet

Make me sick.

Take it like a woman.

I am tougher than anyone.

**** it up, 
Grow a spine.

So I stuffed it down.

I swallowed the bile 

And clenched my stomach

Every time I smelled

The stench of his odor

Passing by me.

That’s what is
expected of me.

**** it up, 
Grow a spine.

What’s done is done.

Keep your eyes forward,

Keep going,

And move on.

I am a woman

And when I say no

The mans word trumps 

What I want.

**** it up,
Grow a spine.

I live in a mans world

So I have to keep it shut

Or I will be the next ****

Because the mans word is truth.

There is no

His word against mine.

Just his.

**** it up,
Grow a spine.

It’s my womaness at fault 

Even though I said no.

When a woman says no,

It really means yes.

When a woman tells the truth

It really means fallacies 

And delusions.

It means she wanted it.

**** it up,
Grow a spine.


So I did.
I told the truth anyways.

I stood up for myself anyways.

I fought for myself anyways.

I ****** it up,

And grew a spine.



by Kyra Jones