To be seen —
not as an object of desire,  
but as another human being.

To be seen—
for what she is made of,
for what strengths she carries within
and
not for what she covers her body with.

To be admired
not for her beautiful body
but for the beauty within.

Her voice to be heard
and not her screams.

To have dignity —
in life and in death.

To have self-respect.


Is it too much to ask for?

Ember in the breeze –
waking and longing.
Candle in the draft –
hoping and fighting.

Flame in the wind –
thriving and dancing.
Hellfire in the storm –
claiming and merging.