pm poetry

Stop holding onto
who you think
you should be.

Like a child clings
to a cold father’s hand,
waiting for love,
she won’t receive.

You are all
you’ll ever need—
the wars you’ve waged
inside your cage
of perceived and
unfair beauty
were fought against
the ally you
believe is your
sworn enemy.

Embrace her on
the battlefield.
Stop firing.
Pour her wine and
read her poetry.

Love
that ragged warrior,
for she’s absorbed
every shot and
every
violent memory.

She’s endured
every man
who stared too long,
every absurd expectation,
every assumption that she
can’t accomplish
her heart’s wish.

The wish that keeps
her breathing when
her wounds
won’t stop
their weeping.
Stitch them
for her now.

Whisper
affirmations
to soothe her
trepidation.

Say- the world
is war enough,
and you must be
so tired.

Then ask,
because no one
has ever asked,
for a soft
and unconditional

#ceasefire.