Men, I honour

So easy
To give in
To hate.

In letting
Anger rule me
Against all men.

Given
Most of my abusers/bullies
Were born
Of this gender.

And yet
Tomorrow is
Father's Day.

As I honour
My opa* and dad.

Two men
Who's love
Have helped me.

And shoulders
I have cried
Upon.

Willing to do
Almost anything
To protect me.

Whose deaths
Have marked
Transitional moments
In my life.

In becoming
Who I am
As a woman
And a person.

© 2017 Therisa Godwaldt

Author's note: *Opa is Dutch/German, for grandpa.