Exercising your rights

I used to think rights were like my skeleton
god-given, sturdy, and strong
the foundation of being a human

But now I think rights are more like a muscle
pliant, moveable and changing
needing to be flexed to remain strong

---
April PAD Day 25 - exercise

Dead end

It was no secret that
he beat her
we all saw the bruises
heard the excuses
knew she wasn't as clumsy
as she purported
to be

---

April PAD Day 30 - dead end

Morning breath

The cup on

my bathroom counter

holds two toothbrushes

and the memory of 

minty breath and 

mornings spent cuddling

under that pearly 

white down comforter; 

of lips on 

the lookout for 

a surprise attack

on cheeks or

forehead or any

patch of kissable

skin, which shivered

each time you 

smiled at me.