Bruises

Really great bruises
those you can wear
one the width of a baseball
with a position of pride-my left calf.
bruises that say
yeah, I like to play
I do that
I get outside
I go. I do. I am.
I am strong. Powerful. Active. Woman.
Just like a summer tan
with a band of white
where your Timex was.
Really great bruises mean summer
and you can't remember
where you got those
Really great bruises.
Say that with a smirk and
a slow nod.

It isn't always really great
not always about summer
and running and laughter and
Strong. Powerful. Woman.
Sometimes it is just.
just.
just the opposite.
Sometimes it's all hidden
and you wear soccer socks
and that's if you wear shorts
but on laundry day or not laundry day
you've got to wear jeans
because these bruisessmallwounds
these are not the
Strong. Powerful. Woman.
that you are.
or maybe that is.
maybe these are.
Strong.
Powerful.
Woman.
that
you are.