“The Day I Reclaimed My Power” by Deborah Harris
When I can no longer put it off
I find myself laying down
Tense and anxious to get
It over
With
A hand starts moving over my body
Over things
That are technically
Just skin
“I am ready,” I say
And I hold my breath
And try to curl myself up as
Small
As I can
While My Self
Vacates the premises
And does not
Return
Until after
It
Is over
The reclamation of my power
Begins
As soon as I
Tell
My story
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Deborah Harris Artist Statement: I am an uncredentialed story-teller with something to say. I enjoy writing most of all. I’ve started more fully realizing creative potential in middle-age. It has been joyful, tremendously fun, and also quite painful at times. These words are for anyone who needs to know that our stories matter.