Reclaiming Myself

With this small pill

I regain control

Over my body

Ending a lifetime

Of pain and self-denial.

What started

As a protective measure

Became a punitive one

At a very young age

In denying

My true self.

Where violence is

Whether

Verbal or physical

A regular part

Of my life.

No more

Slamming shut

That part of my past

Fighting to keep

This door close.

Shuddering

At the escaped memory

Of my mom condemning

And denouncing me

As her daughter

And child.

But these days

Are no more

For me

As the last

Of my family ties

Are ripped asunder.

Liberating me

To begin anew

Swallowing my daily dose

Of Estrogen.

Watching my body develop

The way

It was suppose to

From birth.