Did I Ever Tell You About the Time...?

Once, as a child, my teacher called me “sour grapes”.

Instead of letting the hammer hit the nail again

I bounced her words back like a metal trampoline

And told her she could eat them; I’m just expressing myself.

Once, in middle school, a boy rubbed my leg

Without asking my permission. I stood up

In front of the class, asked him if there’s a problem,

If maybe he’d forgotten which legs were his.

Once, in high school, my youth pastor told me

My heart was made of construction paper and

Ripped so easily I’d leave pieces behind in the chests of others.

I showed him the holes filled in by what they’d given me in return.

Once, in college, the chaplain told me I was suffering

Because I had unforgiven sins weighing on my heart.

I tore open my gut and laid out my scarred insides,

I left him with the pain and dis-enrolled that day.

Once, as an adult, three men in a pick-up truck

Whistled and honked as I walked to work.

Ten a.m., basked in sunlight, I grew to ten feet tall,

Chased them down, and slashed their tires.

Once, I imagined I had superpowers

Once, I was respected and not vulnerable.

Once, my body was my own to control.

Once, I stood up for myself.

Once, I forgave myself, for all the things

I wished I’d said and done. 

Thank you, Nicole Homer.