Earth

North. Earth.

Your body. Your sacred space.

My feet.

First caressed by loving parents Tickled and teased.

Kissed by loving lips

Held in hands that may never let go. A happy place.

My calves. Touched by many. Healing touches Angry touches

Bruised and scarred.

But telling my story nonetheless

My knees. Broken. Wobbly. Weakened. But somehow, Persevering.

My thighs. Touched by friends Caressed by lovers Tortured by me.

My self hate.

Glaring in white scars My fear

Blossoming in burns All a history

All life lessons All mine.

My hips.

Caressed by lovers. Grabbed by lovers. Groped by strangers. Used by angry men

To bash out their insecurities.

My waist. Supported in dance. Caressed gently

Squeezed in powerful hugs Yanked in a direction

I find myself not wanting.

My chest.

Ogled by strangers An object of lust

Groped, pinched, prodded Pressured.

A heavy weight.

My shoulders. Strong and broad. Carrying my weight.

Soft for the tears of others.

My neck.

Bruised, grabbed, choked. Left with the history of anger.

My face.

At odds with it all. Smiling but not in full Locked down in fear. This is my body.

This is my story.

Every line I see when I look down. Most would flinch away

Fear of the nightmare that is my past But I hold strong

This is MY body now. No one may touch it Without my permission

No one may ever hurt my body again My body is strong

My body is powerful My body is mine.