The Rose

Thought she was a rose, pulchritudinous & delicate
with more than a healthy fear of falling
she demands grace in her demeanor
she didn't curse only used uplifting words
I, born under a curse, found such words quite uplifting
& now found a way without them
& I with more scars than stories to account for them
& lust for flight so strong I cannot taste my fear of falling
I, more beautiful weed than flower
felt myself more feminine in her presence
she taught me to be careful, that those we let in can hurt us, abuse us even
I searched for a graceful way to express that
no one just takes; we give
they may take more than we planned to give, but only after we've given
away our essence, our God-selves, our souls
the pain reminds us who we are
I spoke for hours of fearlessness
of sharpening my will so much I would become bulletproof
all that I desire, that which was beneficial
would come to me without seduction
& what I read as disagreement, or confusion,
& unwillingness to take such a step personally
was really anger, hurt, & displeasure
at my audacity & boldness, most unladylike
so again like so many other flowering relationships
I got cut by the thorns, I didn't know were there
my ouch was met with this was a long time in coming
you should've known & there is no way I could've hurt you more than you hurt me
for I am the victim, ever she was the victim
Only this time I have learned the lesson
you weren't to have authority on how feminine I felt
a rose is not the feminine ideal
I am not more masculine, I am as we were made to be
I rock stilettos & can jump fences in them
when I enter a room women hold tight their men, to my enjoyment
simply because it keeps them out of my way
I neither hide my curves nor emply their use to build esteem
my hips bring down kingdoms or build them up as I see fit
got enough Nat Turner in me to take out cradled babes
with no paradox in mind when I hold close those of my village or of my flesh
no longer see weakness in tears, but i don't see strength in them either
just cleansing, I cleanse myself in tears as I cleanse my sword of blood
woe be unto those who oppose me
cause i ain't no fuckin rose