Sleeping on the top bunk
I got really good at crying
without making a sound.
Strong and resolute,
is what I aspired and pretended to be.
I never learned to fight,
let alone to fight fair.
There is no room for contention
between myself and I,
or anyone for that matter.
Now I seem to be left defenseless,
but can't tell the difference
between safety, security
and when I need to be defended.
Everything is easy,
everything is lovely.
Sleep instead of thinking,
like my mother before.

You don't get to have layers or dimension.
No tension, just breathe.

Dimension is something you must earn,
But soon you will learn to be untouchable.

There is no form of violence or agression acceptable.
You have to be respectable. Don't even move.

The would-be layers blend into one muddled grey.
Who you are is long washed away, untouchable.

Some sincerity you may sneak, but come right back
When you can't take the heat. Look ahead.

Do what it takes to hold yourself together.
It will forever be easier to be untouchable.

An ancient sage suddenly appeared at my feet.
She placed her hand upon my heart and whispered,
"This is your destiny."

A woman in black with hair as gold as the sun took my hand.
She said, "Close your eyes. Open your mind. Feel the power of this land."
She said, "Daughter of my daughter's daughter; blood of mine.
We've been waiting for all your life. It's finally time
to rise. It's time to fight."

A band of ancient shamans stopped me in my tracks.
They placed their magic on me and said, "You can never go back." They said, "Sister, on her hero's journey, take our hands.
We've been waiting for all our lives. Here we stand
to rise."

We can't wait any longer.
We can't hide the fire that's been burning ever stronger.
We can't deny. It's time
to rise. It's time to fight.

It's time to rise. It's time to fight.