Blame my ancestors for the white hairs growing through my crown since my teenage years and for the wisdom that came too soon in childhood blame my ancestors for my innate ability to smell bullshit and for the intensity of my moods blame my ancestors for my incapacity to fake a smile and for speaking the loudest with my silence they just couldn’t have their child fitting in perfectly and flowing with the current she must speak up for those who never had the chance even if her voice trembles she must claim the power of the matriarchy even if she feels her soul is in shambles for all the women of our lineage who guard the truth who hold the sacred who guide the youth for those who heal others while their own heart breaks so excuse my fiery spirit and my tough love make way for all of my angels like the wings of a thousand doves they lift me through the dark I now carry the torch and tend to this inherited spark.

I just wanted to dance but your shame weighed heavy on your feet I just wanted to hold hands but your fingers were foreigners too afraid to venture past homelands I just wanted to lock eyes but your gaze was buried deep in scrolls and not in ancient literature, but in mindless social memes I was hungry for you but you were full of unlimited algorithm feed I just wanted one song to be ours passionate lovemaking protection and safety I just wanted to speak my mind but my words fell on defensive ears I thought it would be dreams but instead what came true were fears you were the judge that threw me in the cage my visions erased the music silenced I just wanted to be free with you but now I know I must fly on my own I just wanted to dance so now I do all alone.

I’m shedding like a serpent in the spring equinox sun on my skin exposed too long too raw I’m transforming despite my constant surrounding my breath hesitant awareness of the give and take slowing heart rate I gaze at my reflection pausing to contemplate this phase to celebrate the evolution of the woman ever becoming accepting the losses falling in love with my metamorphosis.