Changing

Leaving behind the anger
Leaving behind the rage
Walking out the gate
Leaving my steel-hard cage.

Sitting on the grass
Sitting beside a stream
Listening to life's glory
Setting aside my screams

Maturing in mind and body
Maturing to my years
Maturing into a butterfly
Maturing beyond my dreams.

Learning how to be content
Learning how to cope
Finding happiness has different forms
and there is always reason to hope.

Recognizing my strength,
Recognizing my will
Acknowledging the women who gave me form
Recognizing they're still here.

Inside me lives the blood of struggle
Inside me lives the acceptance of change
Inside me lives determination
Inside me a soul rearranged