A Poem: She Remembers

She Remembers:

By: Christine McFarlane

She remembers

the girl 

she used to be

the one who sat

on the sidelines

with her shoulders hunched

and her head down

her voice

barely above a whisper

refusing to make eye contact

just in case 

she would begin 

to cry

for her confidence

was next to non-existent

and so was her pride

beaten down

by her oppressors

after years of being told

"you will be nothing"

You will die

Now she's a woman

Who can hold her head high

And smile

For she has

made and defined

her own path

Choosing education

instead of ignorance

About who she was

And what she stood for

Choosing healing

instead of sickness

Finding community

Instead of being alone

And knowing inside

with help and support

 from those who believed

That she can succeed

At whatever she wants to be

She just has to

Believe

And she will fly