Mother

By Vera Espiritu •
I swear I am never coming back
I swear on every single
subatomic particle of
every single fiber of my being
I will never come back
I will never return to this place
To these people
For nearly two decades I was forced
Forced to live in utter confinement
Like a child too long in the womb
Like a raging fire from
the pits of my hellish soul
I will never be calmed
I will never be tamed
I will not, for the rest of my life
Look at your face ever again
Hear your voice ring through my ears
Feel the touch of your hands on me
I detest you in a manner I've never felt
A hate cultured with the utmost care
I will find my freedom
I am a child of no origin,
heritage, a child of air
I will never, for as long as I live
Say your name again
"Mother."