Lost

women

with hair brighter than the sun

with stories better than Shakespeare

surrounded by greatness

each generation better than the last

faster

stronger

smarter

and here I am

the broken chain in the link

the lost woman

ambition

stronger than the last

intelligence

stronger than the last

dignity

stronger than the last

will to live

stronger than the last

grandma held her head up high

stronger than everyone around her

fighting for her rights

to live, to breathe, to see

fighting for her life

mom held her hand in the air

smartest in the classroom

smartest in the office

yet silenced in her home

I held my smile up high

as it began slipping off my face

was working to be strong

and yet

I failed every step of the way

I lost every piece of myself

I failed every woman before me