survivor – Heretics, Lovers, and Madmen

I Am the Woman – Aurora Phoenix

I am the woman your mother warned you about (let’s face it she was envious) I have long since lost my place that musty corner to which I was relegated where nice girls sit quietly legs crossed and demure. (what point is there in that?) I turn heads with my stride I watch the eyes…

I Am the Woman – Erin L. King

I am the woman Your mother warned you about. You have a missing piece, he said And he was right: That piece was tolerance For racist grandmothers And gross jokes Told over tables of restraint. That piece That didn’t think a six-year-old Should be a misogynist. That piece Crying angry tears When she showed up…

I Am the Woman – Dom Mitchell

I’m the woman you’re mother warned you about The one people wince at what may come out of my mouth I say what I want even at your grandmothers house I might even slouch on her couch Peep my reflection and take a selfie with my tongue out Yea that’s me. The one she told…

I Am the Woman – Deanna Raymond

I am the one that has always been a little odd has always felt “too much” the one that dreams and trusts and loves wildly the one people have tried to shame, or dull or crush because light and all this capacity for loving is cryptonite to the bitter soul and because making one like…

I Am the Woman – Judith Swann

I am the woman your mother warned you about But as I am in the office, is not who I am in the garden, is not who I am at table with a poet or two. In New York I’m not the same as in Iowa, In Puerto Rico I’m not the same. I am…

I Am the Woman – Basilike Pappa

I am the woman your mother warned you about: She and the other matriarchs exchanged recipes. Babies in arms, children tugging at their sleeves. High pitched squealing. The perfect detergent for spring cleaning. I zoomed out. Someone asked me something, I said ‘what?’ Then they exchanged glances. – Isn’t the day hot, and could you…

I Am the Woman – Candice Louisa Daquin

I am the girl who was never the child Seen too much, been too much, defiled and reviled Stains the inside, halts growth, behind your eyes too many images Fitful in shade, don’t now how to make, a real version of me Seen so many attempts, the fakes and the frauds when do you Grow…