I slowly relearned how to
Love myself fiercely
Unapologetically
In defiance of every
Small-town, small-mind,
No-heart demon
Who said I deserved
To live in shame
And self-loathing.
My love is sharp blades,
A scarred old soldier.
I love myself
Like armor,
Like war paint,
Like a battle cry.
I love myself
Like armies poised
At the ready.
But I can’t help but wonder
What it would feel like
To love myself with the soft
Self-assurance of someone
Who never forgot how
Who was never told not to
Who never had to fight
A war for her own soul.