doors we walk through

similes and metaphors like smiles and matadors - we walk through, never knowing where we're going - Willy Wonka's boat - never slowing except to smell the roses like our granddads always told us.

  Mine was called Eugene. I heard that he was mean and it was his fault my childhood was bad, but just be grateful it wasn't worse - like hers. I didn't end up in a hearse - because I had a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food in my belly. - But I never felt loved, and that was worse.

 I meant to run away - I won't apologize for not - going through with a lot of things and going through a lot of things just like everyone has. - I'm not complaining! I'm just explaining - where I'm coming from and she tells me to get over it and I'm done - trivializing my own existence so I'm done with her. 

 I'm over it. And I'm over people like her trivializing what my fellow Americans, my fellow global citizens, my brothers and sisters have gone through.

 Every fight is my fight. Every fight feels personal to me. I won't back down. I won't go away. Like a child called It, I'll put pen to paper and say what I need to say. I'm here. I'm here for me, and if we're on the same team I'll be there for you. And together we will silence all the hers of the world - because we proved we have a place on this planet where we belong. 

 We made it. And I know I don't need to tell you, but sometimes I do need to remind myself. 

  Viola Davis told me I was smart, kind, and important - maybe one day I'll listen. I'm bigger than my problems give me credit for.