Single

I can write now 

in the middle of the night 

I can hum notes to the moon

decide my bedtime

and I can leave the room

without permission.

I can crave human touch

and feel the ache of loneliness alone, 

not tethered.

I can leave the window open

leave the volume at an odd number

and love my past without being scorned.

I can talk to strangers

I can talk to my sisters

I can live without fear of uncontrolled anger.

I can forgive without explanation.

I can grieve, weep, laugh, love, empathize

without justification.

I can remember screaming, crying, jealousy, isolation.

I can remember pleas for solace.

I can remember the day solace was claimed.

I can avoid the righteous,

I can walk with the wanderers.

I can accept what would not change,

I can regret not accepting that sooner.

I can give compassion to whomever is in need.

I can accept compassion whenever I am in need.

I can promise myself to 

take the time to heal

take the time to find the corners of being alone 

take the time to depend solely on my spirit for peace.

I can be the woman I aspire to be

outside the box,

outside doubt, 

outside hate,

outside false accusation,

outside society's expectation.

I can realize most of my life I was afraid of losing those I love.

I can choose to face that fear, 

and eat it daily for breakfast til it's gone.

I can believe that no one belongs to anyone,

and I can believe we all long for each other.

I can work as much as I need

to pay my bills

to fulfill my soul

to never depend on the generosity of anyone who would hold it against me.

I can embrace every form of love

and let each exist on its own

without competition, comparison, or conceit.