self-talk

I will carve out a place

to face

myself, I need a rhythm and a reason just to

trace my cells

to keep track

of all the ways that I have

become my own

my being, my person,

to start to call this skin "home"

I will challenge the lies

I will fight back the tide

I will look in the mirror and I will not be denied

If it's this figure, then I figure

"leave the bad thoughts behind;

all the persecuting bullies

were just words in your mind"