She

She (For Isa and Us All)

She waits in seclusion 'til the sun dips down,

When finally, there is not a soul awake to see.

Alone again, as lilac-time, mutes incessant sound

She seeks out the quiet rooftop, to weep and bleed.

Her heart is splintered into small crystal shards

A fine powder that may never be able to mend.

Her soul cruelly smashed like a house built of cards,

Tossed about by remorseless, vindictive winds.

The bruised, purple skies lend her a certain privacy

Never granted by those who pursue in pitiless day.

She trudges upward to her seek her brief amnesty

As her oppressors sleep their peaceful night away.

Self-loathing and doubt determined to freeze her.

Her defeated spirit darkens and gets infinitely colder,

Dark despair filling every deep recess and fissure,

'Til she feels the gentle touch of a finger on her shoulder. 

She whirls in panic for fear of her exposure

Someone has discovered her safest of places.

Only to stare at the sight that confronts her,

A sea of loving and compassionate faces.

"Sister, you have suffered too long in your prison.

We have watched you struggle and go it alone.

Lean on us, take a deep breath, try to listen

You are seen. You no long fight on you own.

We will be here each time that you need us.

Close your ears to ones who spew envy and lies.

The one, above us all you must value and trust

Is yourself, where truth and strength always hide."

She feels strong arms reach out to embrace her. 

Feels acceptance for the first time in her life.

She accepts the place offered to her in the center, 

Sheltered at last from neglect, self-doubt, strife.

It the one thing we should do for femininity. 

Supporting and loving us all in this fight. 

So that one discovers confidence, worth, her sanity

Climbs out of the darkness and reaches for her light.