when i was
a child
with long hair
you called me a girl
when i was a teenager
you laughed at me
for reciting Kelis
lyrics as opposed to Nas
you symbolically & physically
beat me into submission
coercing me into
a false personality
a shell of masculinity
that appeased you
great to admire
yet hollow on the inside
you told me you loved me
but only if i loved
who i was “supposed to“
you did all this
but you still lusted
after me
i was only worthy
of your touch
in the dark
you would never
affirm me in the light
of day
but i am
no vampire
i am human
i am love
growing
through hate
transmuting cruelty
into benevolence
i am here
i have always been
and will continue
to be
you
will never erase me