Connection

She hated me already at birth.
I had a cock,
small,
but nothing she do about it.

She also hated my sisters,
so I may be wrong about my penis,
but not the hating.

I have spent a lifetime of waiting
to get beyond
nights
that turned out to be sleepless

while hate looked on
and hung there long after
she'd gone.
It was her curse
which I can quote chapter and verse.

What I've become
is a veteran of many battles,
some of them love.

I fought, but was awarded no medals,
made mistakes and failed,
all to unexpected rewards.

I am, therefore, thankful for the struggles
that give me claim
to speak
for myself and for others
and in my name
say what I am needing to say.

You may say, Amen.