Letters to my Lessons

To my rapists I will say

all the things you thought gave you power

only prove you to be weak

you grabbed her from behind

tight grip around her cheek

knife held at her throat

your need for control

parts of your body

like a thief they stole

But as you peeled away her innocence

with every fold of skin

it revealed a warrior strength

waiting to begin

To my ex husband I will say

with each rise of your fist

she learned to be grateful for each day

to live her life, not just exist

Bruises showed her rainbows

after every storm

and the coldness in your heart

taught hers to be ever warm

And to the one who couldn’t love me back

I truly want to thank you

for teaching me the most

showing a love so true

erasing each past ghost

For she grew to love herself

she will never need attachment

she found unconditional love

beyond all of your detachment

So the freedom gave her wings

‘her’ and I will always be the ‘she’

flying over obstacles and hurts

armed with dreams and poetry