She’s Got This

She watches the sun set on another day,

Another day of battling her demons, squandering knee-deep in their mire,

Just trying to get by in one piece,

Stifling their screams — do they never tire?

Never lay down when they’re beaten?

Will they never learn not to play with her fire?

**

She sleeps with one eye open, aware of their antics,

And when they least expect it, she pulls them in for a hug,

It’s here that she smiles as they groan and struggle,

Holding tight as they try to pull her heartstrings; steadfast as they tug,

For she’s learned a trick or two throughout her lifetime,

And crawled endlessly through their dirt and mud.

**

Now, she worships sunrises and bird songs,

Instead of kneeling to their barbaric hymns,

She fought hard to break the bindings that roped her freedom,

And remembers the days when she couldn’t hear how her heart sings,

Much to their disgust she whispered her love upon their deafened ears,

And released the fear they gifted when she discovered her wings.

**

Freedom of the open road soars through her future,

Potholes bridged with her will of steel,

She weeps in the shadows while waiting for the sun to shine upon her shoulders,

Standing tall whenever they command she kneel,

Disobedience her armoured fortitude, worn with pride,

Harbouring the insanity they insist she will forever feel.

**

There are days where she wants to bury herself under the covers,

Those are the days her demons celebrate, believing they are about to win,

Although she may be down, she’s not out for the count,

For tomorrow will see her rise again, adorning her thickened skin,

Maybe she took a few steps backwards, until she could once more face her demons,

A little bent, broken and bloody — but she’ll ace her game once daybreak begins.