Alibis
I loved him
I cried for him
I comforted him
when he told me he felt bad
because he cheated on me
I adored him
I cuddled him
I cried
when he told me it was my fault
because he was afraid I would leave
I trusted him
I worked for him
I loved him
and I loved him
And I came to the conclusion:
He isn’t evil
He’s human
and in so many ways
that’s so much worse
I left him
I became her
I screamed for her
I cried for her
I loved her
and I hated her
because she was in agony
I slept for her
I tried for her
I cut for her
and I bled for her
because she let him back in
I stood by her
I wept for her
I froze for her
in snow for her
I left with her
she became me
and I started over
with a different narrative
I am a Woman now
depleted and hopeless
moving through a world
that leaves me devote-less
rummaging for memories
I cannot recall
A brain that malfunctions
from the emotional fall
I am a Woman now
and despite how I suffer
I stand tall, and act strong
and show them all I’m tougher
the confidence flows through me
it floods my bruised veins
tainting it, painting it
with the nevermore pain
every arrhythmic beat
of my mutated heart
will acknowledge the hardship
that has torn my joints apart
I am a Woman now
and the story just gets longer
another illness of the mind
and genetic disorder to make it fonder
but I am a Woman now
I walk on broken legs
I crawl on broken mind
and every neuron begs
That I stop and retreat
and I hide and I keep
to myself and I stay quiet
so more harm I do not reap
but I am a Woman now
I have learned how to survive
and I cannot stop the voices
but I will not hear their lies
I am broken, I am strong
I am capable and I’m wrong
and if disabled is the term
then I’ve been that all along
and of the lessons that I’ve learned
I know to try and try again
I’m not alone, I can’t be shamed
a broken woman can still be maimed
it’s not my fault that I am bruised
that I was wrongfully accused
and now I know and I can say
that I was cheated and abused
I am a Woman now