March 6, 2011 · 3:47 pm
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Sista, why do you run? by Jessica Horn

From her debut poetry chapbook Speaking in Tongues, Jessica Horn’s solidarity poem for women facing sexual violence.

Sista, why do you run?
(dedicated to those women who have not survived sexual violence)
been a long time
in these bruised bones
long time in my rituals
of burnt eyes
and painted smile. 

been a long time, sista
shivering in bathtubs
pleading
breathe, child, breathe
pleading
bathwater cleanse
bathwater cleanse
pleading
breathe, child, breathe

been a long time
hanging onto
the echo
of heartbeat
searching for safety
in the laughter of women.

man still come
you know.
day-time phone call
scorpion sting
mosquito bite
at midnight
sometimes

see the wound
swelling
across my aching breasts
my soft thighs
turned rough
with time
and
nightmares.

been a long time
in these bruised bones, sista.
look at me.
as I fade from my own eyes.

just another woman searching
for the light.

(c) Jessica Horn

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2 responses to “Sista, why do you run? by Jessica Horn”

  1. The Oldstrong
    March 6, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Such a powerful, emotional, thought provoking piece

    Reply
  2. ZeroByZawadi
    February 9, 2012 at 10:18 am

    I feel you on this sis. So many womyn out in this world just searching for the light. Whenever and wherever we find it, let us shine it bright for our other sisters to see. Keep writing babe – as we write, we heal, and others do too – we find new answers, new spaces, new beginnings. Bless!

    Reply

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