Connecting.
Relaxing.
Reminded to breathe.
Trying to speak and breakthrough the freeze.

Forcing the words to leave my mouth,
Sticking and stumbling, I can’t get them out.
I’m a child again, fingers down my throat.
Induce the choking, get this poison out.

Then I hear their stories - women like me.
Stronger, but struggling, trying to break free.

Trying to open their broken wings
To rise up above all of the things
That trap us, that hold us, that ruin our lives.
That stole our childhoods, our voices, our time.

Our time will come,
Until then we’re one.