Manifest Destiny

I want you to be expansive 
Lift your arms to the sky and be as big as you can
Take up the space you need to breathe deep
Lift your arms until your gold and silver bangles clink against your dark skin
Each bracelet defiant against those who said to shush--
Speak less, moderate your tone,
Less harsh, less loud, less colorful, 
Less power.
Stand firm and wide on the ground you claim
The wind can blow at your colorful skirt, press against your shape, but it won't knock you over
Keep the big hoops in your ears
And your curly hair down
Beads on your neck and rings on your hand
Make all the noise you want
Do not let yourself be contained, be silent, be tamed
Keep all the pieces of yourself 
When you are cut bleed, bleed so they see the damage 
Scream, scream so loud they have to look
If they run, take up that space also
Use the fuel of everything you've swallowed
To expand, to grow, to birth the life you nurtured.