The soft scent of my best friend's cologne,
Whips my, surprisingly
Clear mind, 
Back to a bittersweet haze of a night. 
***** lights bonfires in my throat
As Ed Sheeran plays tinny over the miniscule car speakers
My heart burns, 
Flames lick their way up my chest, 
My neck. 
They curl, almost comfortingly
Around my voice box
And so, 
I can't talk. 
But I manage, 
Painstakingly 
To drown the fire, just enough to scream the lyrics 
See, the love thrown at me by my friends, 
Like a blanket around a victims shaky shoulders, 
Was a dogs lick to my open wounds.
The music erased the last words he spoke to me, from the forefront of my mind
Even replaced the words, with a sweeter melody.
And I realised, 
Oh so suddenly 
That everything I know about him, 
All his little quirks, I noticed 
Apparent mostly in the darkest moments, 
Just before dawn
The things that made him, him 
Made him mine, 
Were all now, just 
Leftover, 
Seemingly meaningless, 
Facts.

I was raised by women.
Strong,
Mighty,
Tough as f*ucking nails
Women. 
But that was the only quality that any of them shared.
My Mom,
House key clenched in fist,
Screwdriver in pocket walking to work,
Hoop earrings thrown to ground,
Quick temper 
Act first, think later,
Hardened by life,
Woman. 
My aunt,
Lip gloss in handbag,
Hair straightened to perfection, 
Never thrown a punch in her life,
Never had to. 
Undeniably sheltered, 
Woman. 
My cousin,
Call me and I'll be there,
Walk into oncoming traffic,
Bold enough to believe, 
To trust,
That everyone will stop.
My fists are weapon enough, 
Believe me.
Waiting for the first person brave enough, 
To say "Prove it.",
Emotional walls made of adamant,
Woman.
My Great-Nan,
That's my husband,
Stutter again and I'll hit you with a tea-towel,
Don't walk on the edge of the pavement girls,
He might pull you in,
Rough, because of lessons learned.
Soft, because of love. 
A guardian Angel type, 
Woman. 
And me, 
A can of soda, 
Still and quiet, 
But when shaken,
A colossal explosion. 
Heart of fine silver,
Not quite Gold. 
Let me help you,
But don't think I'm a fool. 
A novel brimming with knowledge and tales
But only a novella of a life.
Elastic band heart, 
Hurt me and I'll show you how you only really hurt yourself, 
Resilient, 
Perhaps because I have to be,
Razor edged words,
My right hook may not be the best,
But let me tell you all the reasons why
You are who you are. 
To the women who raised me, 
I hope you see me for all I am,
And am proud to call me a product
Of yourselves. 
Pokerfaced,
Thoughtful,
Indignant, 
Unbreakable, 
Wo­man.