It Occurred

It occurred to me
I didn’t have to live under the rule
of my old self

I didn’t have to abide by her staunchness
or adhere to her codes

I didn’t have to head down
the same old road
(or even a new road)
with the same risk
the same force
wielding a sword
pushing to the limit
sweating to establish myself
with the brittle grip
of someone who needs to turn heads
in order to survive

I hear her now
screaming through the scars
you’ll be nothing without me, she whispers

Nothing then
I whisper back
So be it.

- Cory Sipper