Empty Shells

TW: Patriarchal Violence, domestic violence

Empty
Fragile
Disposable
Potential denied
Shallowness amplified
Carelessly walked over by men
Unable to put myself back together again.

Crush the first one. Crush it to dust.
Because they multiply.
And then you can't breathe.
You're afraid to look up.
Your posture is poor
Black is blacker
White is grey
Nothing is just
Motives within motives
Get your story straight

Sit down gently
Get up gently
Breathe gently

But don't appear fragile
Don't appear damaged
Never appear anxious

There's no countermeasures
There's no winning
There's no compromise

So crush it.

When he puts down the first egg shell.
Crush it.
Smash it.
Grind it.
Smear it over your face.
Let him know.
A mansion made of egg shells.
Is a prison.
And your humanity isn't a crime.

I wrote this to poem to myself as a reminder to escape misogynistic violence and patriarchal men whether they be relative, friend, spouse, colleague or mutual. It's inspired by my abusive father who had me living on eggshells, avoiding home and him.

If you'd like more from me you can check out my own personal blog it's yet to be launched but it'd be nice to have some beta readers.