An absent parent
Is no such thing
Just a person who was gone too much
To teach their seeds to grow
So, for now, I’ll teach myself
Imperfect and messy
I’ll teach myself
To be a woman
Smart and witty
And strong in my words
To pry at closed minds
Because my heart is burning fire
Bright flames biting at the back of my throat
With all the words I need to say
I'll teach myself
How to warm
And not burn holes in them
Like the gaps in me
I'll teach myself