Audacious

This is your place.
Sit here.
Sit there.
Sit at my feet and hold them.

No.
I will stand.

This is your task.
Do this.
Do that.
Do as you are bidden to do.

No.
My hands work for me.

How dare you.
Refuse me.
Deny me.
A slave should know her place.

No.
I slave for you no more.

This day.
I step on the road of my choosing.

This day.
I break open the locked away places.

This day.
I speak to those I was told not to.

My throne is held by the usurper.
I will make it mine.

My voice is held by those ashamed.
I will make it mine.

My rod is held by the inept.
I will make it mine.

I will go to the gatekeeper, to the gate, to pass through.
And I will have his blessing, his opening, his company.

I will go to the depths, to the dark, to the devouring.
And I will leave rising, bright, overflowing.

I will take the threads, reorder them, reweave them.
And I will make a new pattern, enlivened, strengthened.

If I leave things as they are, then nothing will change.
So I will be true to myself, and stir the stagnant pot.

If I leave things as they are, then nothing will grow.
So I will be true to myself, and drink the living water.

If I leave things as they are, then nothing will live.
So I will be true to myself, and in dying be renewed.

I have naught else left to be taken from me.
I have naught else left to be stolen from me.
I have naught else left to be ripped from me.

I will allow myself to be made low no longer.
I will lift my eyes and fix as my target, a higher place.
I will refuse the station forced upon me, and take my rightful place.

You’ve watched me grovel, and now you watch me groan.
You’ve watched me struggle to stand, and now you watch me stumble as I walk.
You’ve watched me break the bonds, and now you see me free.

I will have much rum for you.
I will not forget.
Rum and cigars no matter how my eyes itch.

Watch me as I twist my hips, refusing shame merely because I am a woman.
Watch me as I open my mouth, refusing to be quiet because I am an outsider.
Watch me as I work my hands, refusing the pittance because I was low.

I will have the finest cigars for you.
I will not forget.
Rum and cigars no matter how my eyes itch.

My body is strengthened! Look, I dance!
Let my laughter ring to the hills! Look, I live!
My head is raised! Look, I go!

No more words.
The time has come.
To start this shit, and delight in it.

I go.