Blending Voices

[Ann Bingham]

BLENDING VOICES

the child within
tries to break out
the woman unaccepting
that she is able

challenges stifle the child
drowning her in reality
the woman holding her under
icy waters
numbing her
zeal to live

wrists bleed dirty blood
blue black oil
the soul unclean
unknowing, unconscious

the child thrashes
exhausted
the woman bleeds
her oily residue
suffocating
still the child persists

let me out
let me live
let me choose
I am alive

the battles just begun
dreams and doubts
aspirations and speed bumps
the hopeful child
the doubtful woman
hoping the child will win
so the woman can live.