it has taken twelve years
to break the vow of silence you made me swear to
twelve years of love smashed into my eyes
to realize
true gifts are not intrusive
they do not bind the spirit
you hostaged my days
with cruel imitations of love burning my wrists
and my hope bound in livid cords
around my throat
even now
as i attempt to negotiate freedom
a smile crouches at the corner of your mouth
and the loud noise of your anger is black confusion on my skin
still
i do not flinch
at the upsweep of your arm
as it moves to pronounce your final gift
a small courage stammers into being
and strength unfolds from the cowering past
i break free from our worn vow
like a snapped rib
and from the cracked well of my lips i protest these years of madness
it has taken twelve years
to forgive the starving destiny locked within these limbs
twelve years
for my wounds to return to themselves
now
i re-invent myself on new hope
shaped to the curve of my bone
new reason to live
warm as my own blood
now
I recite a new vow
that does not bleed
from the mouth
- barbara mitchell