This manipulation
Has brought fire
Fire. Fire that
Is not sparked by love.
No
It's sparked from anger
Anger, humiliation, manipulation.
All the things
I saw, was afraid of,
Burning into it
Into pieces.
Pieces of scrap that don't matter

But you.
You have no more coal
The coal to raise the deceit
Because
I am stronger than you.
You are weak.
Weak. Weak. Weak.

There is no purpose for you here.
I have no time for your *******
So take it elsewhere

Take the tears you've made me spring
Take the heart I had for your darling soul
Just go ahead and feel better about yourself there,
But you cannot take my integrity and stability.

I am powerful.

It is not punishment
if you don't feel
pain
embarrassed
humiliated
even
if there's force
anger resounded
curses pronounced.

Punitive means
can come
in the form of simplest actions,
sometimes without intentions.

A little waiting
Some vigorous pushing
A quick look around
On a shaky ground

Grabbed the nearby seat
Some rest to the feet
In minutes squeezed inside
By a woman on the same ride

Awkward journey
The CON for cheap money.
Ticket punched
Some snacks quietly munched

Feel tall from the rest
I am in a red BEST
The driver is in a hurry
I smell some fish curry

Over a bridge
Some dogs cringe
Music for my ears
No more travelling fears

Nothing gone wrong
Now I feel strong
My stop is next
Replying to a text

Trip a little but its okay
I think it’s a good day
The red bus brakes
My balance shakes

I fly right on the drivers grill
With my face drilled
All eyes on me
I can barely see

I shiver as I walk the stairs
No one even cares
People just want to get to their destination
And I stand numb at the bus station.

-Zainab Attari