You Say I'm a Strong Woman

I was inspired to write this piece for International Woman's Day. the "strong woman" trope has always been a tricky one for me, so delved into this concept through this poem.

You say I’m a strong woman... 

as if I have it all together in a tight neat box with a bow on top.

But when I’m alone my wrapping is worn and disheveled. 

You may assume because I’m a colored woman, 

I am an African American Statue of Liberty. 

Like Ellis Island 

my docks always available for port.

You say I’m a strong woman.

I’m ambitious, and have big dreams and passions. 

But are you there when I have nothing written on my to do list.

Are you there when I wake up in the early hours in the morning,

spending that extra hour staring at the blank ceiling before my tired eyes. 

Are you there when I listen to the goblins scratching and clawing at my brain, belting at the top of their lungs that I’ll never be good enough, strong enough, brave enough, 

to change the world. 

Are you there when they belt so loud my eardrums burst. 

When I close my eyes and curl up underneath the bedsheets.