i am a human. i am a person. i am a woman.
i am a sister. i am a daughter. i am a mother.
i am a friend. i am a confidant. i am a lover.
i am afraid. i am happy. i am confused.
i hurt. i bleed. i love. i need.
i am a poet. i am a teacher. i am an athlete. i am a learner.
i am strong. i am proud. i am powerful.
i am a girl. i am a role model. i am an equal.
i am abused. i am disrespected. i am underestimated. i am mocked.
i am a dreamer. i am an achiever. i am a believer.
i am tough. i am soft. i am quiet. i am loud.
i am a listener. i am a talker.
i am a servant to your needs. i am the reason humanity breeds.
i am a female. i am a woman. i am a girl.
i hunger for respect. i don't deserve what i get.
i want to be free. i want to be me.
i am no different from you.
have i not proven what i can do?
i am what i am.
a woman.
~erika boal