The Warrioress (a little poetry jam)

This one is for my fellow chronic illness girlies. I see you. I hear you. Keep going.

By: JANA GREENE

The thing about being a warrior,

is that it looks nothing like the hype.

It is not shiny, or even deemed heroic.

And to be a warrioress is a study

in contradictions.

Be strong but keep it feminine.

Be fearless, but not aggressive.

Cry, but don’t let your tears

rust your armor.

Scream, but without making a scene.

Get bloody, but tidy yourself,

so that nobody knows

how f*cking hard you’re fighting.

The knighthood for the feminine

is illustrated by giving birth –

As we bring forth life,

There is screaming, blood,

and fearlessness.

But there is also great love,

a purging of self,

an opening of the soul, and

new life.

And isn’t that what we are fighting for?

To bring forth a life of our own?

Not to choose the same battle

forever, ad infinitum.

Not to fight for the sake of fighting,

but for the sake of living,

with armor full of chinks,

voices hoarse from war cries,

hands unsteady,

consciousness stumbling, but still rising,

the warrioress.

The thing about being a warrior,

fighting for this one and precious life,

Getting up each day to face hardship,

returning from battle each and every day,

is that it looks like you, my friend

It looks like you.