I am angry grateful to my so called life
for kicking me in the teeth so many times
when I was down on the ground
writhing in bad dreams or living through
everything you threw at me,
lobbed, shot, shoved, manipulated
at and under and behind and from above me.
Like a boxer, I landed on the ropes.
Like a wrestler, I flipped over and out the ring.
Like a scorned lover, I broke
and wept and fell to my knees
pleading “Why me?”
Like a boxer I have landed on my two strong feet.

I am angry grateful that you took me down
and wrung me out and schooled me
and drubbed and scrubbed me
with all the violence and vitriol you have
because I just landed on my feet.
All your lies. I am better for it.
Your trash talk. I stand taller for it.
I own it like I own you.
Life! Ha!
Your exceptional rudeness, crassness,
blindness to my strong, powerful, amazing beauty.
The one you can not see and have not heard.
The one you can not bury and so I stand.
I am a clear-headed nasty woman now and I talk back.
I stand my ground.
Move over.
I am angry grateful for the lessons you taught me, life.
You gave me back my me
and I rise up even stronger
than the day you forced me
from my warrior mama’s womb.