A Kept Woman

My mom was one
So I refused to be

No matter how much I
loved my dad
I did not relent.

He loved me like a son
And I was one in so many ways
but I was also my mother’s daughter

And so
And so

I am still not
a kept woman.

And I’ll never be.

I Have Never

I have never known “peace.”
“Quiet.”
“normal.”

I grew up in abject chaos.
Mayhem.
Absolute bedlam.

But still I survived.
And here I am.

So desperately trying to
Not repeat
This odious cycle.

I’m not. I don’t.
I want to

Live.

I stared at my monstrosities, I looked them in the eye.

Silent in their darkness, I spoke.

“I forgive you,” I whispered, breaking their gaze.

It reached for me

Pulled into an embrace, its vines tangled around me, its eyes locked on mine

Resistance made the vines tighten

I let it in

Our embrace turned into melting and melting into growth,

creation

I looked into the mirror expecting to see a monster,

but all I saw was a human,
flesh and blood,

and darkness too

you
hurt me
and you left

I
can't hurt
and I await.

We come with humble hearts to listen
To listen to our Savior speak
We bend our knees in humble adoration
In adoration to the Blessed Christ
We bow our heads and lift our hearts
Lift our hearts to the Lamb on High
With the angel choirs in Heaven we sing
We sing sweet songs in glory to the Lord
Fill our hearts with child-like wonder
In wonder do we see such awe-full splendor
We leave it all to follow you
Follow your way, your life, your truth