My being is that of a girl,
Cursed.
Pursed
Lips look down at me on birth.

I am placed under arrest,
Barred.
Scarred
Since birth as initiative from me is wrest.

I hurt from their words,
Bruised.
Refused
Freedom like many a caged bird.

My body struggles in pain,
Twisted.
Fisted
At to prevent me flight to attain.

My emotions are gathered into a shell,
Cocooned.
Marooned
From all I live so I may not tell.

My heart weighs a ton,
Loaded.
Goaded
On with abuse into submission.

My spirit bleeds in profusion,
Wounded.
Confounded
It bears the scars of many a contusion.

And yet my dreams speak of freedom,
Sacred.
Hatred
Though I face and love seldom.

My dreams I can clearly see
Etched.
Stretched
Right across the sky and sea.

And I hold these dreams securely
Enclosed.
Disclosed
When they are I’ll be ready.

I will strive and struggle
Challenged.
Strengthened
I will face all the trouble.

I will not let go my dreams,
Determined.
Quietened
I must not be, my mind screams.

No matter what the price
Faced.
Erased
I must not be but must rise.

And so I hold my will strongly
Protected.
Feted
It will one day be for helping me.

My dreams and my will; I am no more alone
Ruffled.
Muffled
My voice will no longer be a moan.

Some day I know I too will have my song
Recognised.
Terrorised
No more, I’ll soar, before much long.