A Woman Like Me

My girls and I have been through a lot, but we are stronger because of it.

When I turned forty,

I thought I would peer.

Into the abyss,

And tremble in fear.

But I didn't. 

I shed not one little tear. 

 

In fact, it’s odd -

I've never felt more alive.

It’s the season of hope. 

The year that I’ll drive

My dreams full throttle, skewer regrets.

Decimate doubt, Embrace the deep end.

 

I thought he had ended me.

I was down for the count,

But here I am, a warrior,

heart safe, mind sound, 

and souring beyond 

my wildest longing.

He had no power

to negate my belonging.

 

It turns out, 

tragedy, once overcome, 

is the greatest catalyst 

to the remarkable become. 

 

The greatest gifts 

always emerge

from the mire of disaster, 

victors encouraged.

 

And a woman like me, 

the abused, the debris, 

who finds herself, 

or fights herself 

free - 

 

A woman like me

will always stay free -

for all her years,

and eternity.