Post; after

aching, gnawing

guilt that claws it’s

gnarled roots around my

heart

as a mothers love

and a seeping

oil spill

squid ink black

dispersing

vie for control

over me.

I love you sweet darlings

but I am not me

right now

you see there is a darkness

that existed before you

many times we have wrestled

struggling

battles

I have overcome but

still

it lies dormant

a parasite

some genetic kink

some specter

haunting the site

of past devastations

I don’t know

I just know I will fight

for you

your innocent hearts

to know my love

for my presence in your

photographs

to hold you

to be your connection to the

wisdom of the

women who have bravely battled

before us

in a world that loves them not

to birth and dance and

despise and love

and survive.

They survived

as will I

for you my loves

for you