Feathers.

she was frightened and restrained

like a bird trapped in a cage,

and every time she tried to escape

she was met with rage.

for these rules and norms

persistently tried to control her;

every time she rebelled,

she lost another feather.

every time she raised her wings,

words shot her back down;

when she had lost all hope,

her feathers rose from the ground.

her passion and strength

seeped through each one;

the feathers helped break her free

and she had finally won.