Frail is a Woman

When people have been unkind

I have held my heart and my words.

'Be patient in affliction'

I have reminded myself

time and time again.

I have created life and felt it die

as blood pooled in my underwear

and pain clenched my womb.

Dreams of baby shoes

fading in my rear view as I wept.

I have given up smoking,

I have given up drinking,

I have given up pleasing you.

I have given up complex things

to embrace the simple.

I have slept beside a demon

felt his breath on my neck,

the scent of liquor, of hatred,

his gun hidden

but threatening.

'Women are weak' they say

but we are built from bone

heaving burdens up with

bloodied hands, holding secrets

in our hearts like penalties.

We are taught to kneel

but man cannot stand

without a woman's strength.

Frail is a woman, they say

but we alone know our worth.