You breathe alcohol through my nose,

Pushing me down so my rolls squeak the ground,

My face turns red, I’m ready

To detonate

To blow your head across the floor

For every time you whispered “whore”

For every sneer and every jibe

For every time you stole my pride

I’m ready

To detonate

My hands trembling with rage,

I push myself up

You throw me back down

And the crowd

LAUGHS.

So loud

My whole body quivers

I hear my blood roar,

I’m ready

To detonate –

But, wait.

A hand reaches down.

“You okay?”

Then the crowd,

They dissipate.

I cool

Nod

And with that hand

 

I Stand.