maelynslavik

“Just grow up.” “Take your time.” “You won’t be a teenager forever.” Good, I don’t want to be. Always stressing about due dates, or tests, or studying, or the future, or absolutely anything at this point.

five years spent practicing, learning, building community around myself, so beautiful

here on the mats, ponytail swinging, laughter,

saturdays from nine to ten-thirty, then eight to ten-thirty,

My mother wasn’t born this strong.

No, her strength comes from years of labor.

Labor of the body, 

Labor of the mind.

My mother’s shoulders are strong;

It was a moment, as fleeting as the click of a heel on wood.

It was like looking in a mirror. If the mirror was distorted and cruel in nature.

Thump thump 

You see nothing 

through your stale pride 

Your black and white lenses 

Your punishments and rewards 

Your fake smiles and deceit 

Thu thump 

It lives in cupped hands

Around sorry ears,

Behind closed mouths shut up tight,

A wrench in the steel factory gears.

A hidden prism refracting light,

Shining through the cracks in firmly pressed fingers.