I stand naked in a mirror and what do I see … I see a warrior Queen.

You may see titties that don’t sit as high as the used to,
but these breasts have fed the next generation
so show respect and give them there due veneration.

You may see stretch marks snaking my tummy
but these markings they tell a story….
Every mark is a battle scar that screams out
that I am a bearer of life.
I am woman and I am proud
I’ll never drop this crown.

I am where the river begins,
I am the source.
A force to be reconned with.

Resilient as ever. Give up never.

Overflowing with strength and soul
I am a beautiful sight to behold.

It took me a lifetime to get here and see this truth,
People tried to drag me down
and make me confused.

And for a while it worked.
I didn’t know my worth.
But I tapped into a level of inner strength
That I didn’t know I possessed.
I ate the plate of self respect
That I refused to partake of in the past

I’m eating now and I’m filled up.
Anorexic no more I digest Love

Scarf down joy by the handful.
I never miss a meal now
I honestly can say
I can’t remember how

I drink with intention
With purpose and determination
My cup is always filled up with heaps of motivation

Surrounding myself with good vibes
and positive energy
My self awareness thrives
as I strive to be a better me

Rub shoulders with those whose
values align with mine
I refuse to waste anymore time

So I stand in this mirror
gazing upon royalty
my heart swells with pride…

What a journey

I felt unsafe the other day as I was getting to know someone new
He demanded to know my body count and said the number determined my value

In the same breath he stated that he his intentions were to sleep with me… but hadn’t he just made it clear that me doing so would lessen me?

The definition of audacity.
I chuckled internally at the absurdity…
I think he really thought things were going his way
That is to say, he was blinded by his conceit
His lack of self-awareness was elite.

He never even asked if the attraction was mutual
as if I didn’t have a choice, or as if hearing no was unusual.

If that wasn’t shocking enough, he added insult to injury
When I asked if he ever hit a woman and he said I only slapped her a bit you see
I believe he had some excuse for it, but to be honest, I was in disbelief

When did being woman begin to mean that we are simply objects, tools, or things.
My Spidey senses were tingling, and I knew I had to disengage
my survival senses were on overdrive as I attempted to get away

And As he was spewing his hateful rhetoric aggressively, I had already shut down mentally.
I smiled politely and said okay
I guess he thought I’d have more to say

His disappointment with my lack of quarrel was evident.
But I’m not the type to get dragged into squabbles with an irrelevant regurgitating unintelligence.

No sudden movements back away slowly and remember if cornered scream.
But All those precautions followed to a T
still can’t always protect a woman from toxic masculinity.

Women around the world face this daily
Some get a chance to survive but a lot aren’t so lucky.
I wish for a place where my sex is valued as much as any mans
and a I don’t have to feel afraid because of an appendage I lack

I just want my daughter to know
That I helped create a world safe for her to grow
That she won’t be attacked because she’s a she
Or expected to fill a role
that she doesn’t want to be

I wish for her to grow up in a world without toxic masculinity

Someone asked me about my goals for 2023.
It’s an easy answer, I just want to be a better me.
Continue improving me.

Master the art of self-love, as I cut away the baggage that’s been holding me down. In 2023, I want to forgive myself. Now is not the time to focus on nonsense or on things that cause regrets.
Yes, some decisions were for the worst. My own actions made me hurt. I accept that those decisions had to be made for things to turn out this way, and that’s okay. Because 2022 left no stones unturned. I truly learned. And I’m ready for what’s next. In 2023, I’m stepping into my best.
In 2023, the plan is to live positively.
Provide an environment that is healthy, physically, and emotionally.
For not just me but also for my seed.

2023 is about my daughter. Developing that bond that can be broken by none. She needs to know that she is the one my world revolves around. Surrounding her with love only a mother can provide.
2023 is to make her thrive.

Last but not least, my goal for 2023 is to not let anyone walk all over me.
Self-betrayal is no longer an option. So, a word of caution…negativity will not be tolerated in 2023 or any year thereafter, so don’t bring it to me.

2023 is not just for me its for all of us,
To make it better than it was.

My goal for 2023 is for us to spread love rampantly.