Opening The Space, poetry by Cheyenne Marcelus at Spillwords.com
Krystal Dixon

Opening The Space

Opening The Space

written by: Cheyenne Marcelus

 

I bruised my shins and scraped
my elbows trying to dance in
this tight space
I grazed my forehead on the
ceiling fan when I tried to fly
I slit my wrist on the door trying
to escape
I carpet burned my knees
praying for deliverance
Every break in my skin served
as a reminder that I was just
Too big

There was no room to toss and
turn in my sleep
I lay awake rubbing my
fingertips against the ceiling
It was low enough to touch
I thought I’d hurt myself if I ever
stood tall

But I grew tired of slouching.

So I took a sledgehammer to the walls
And opened the space
I opened a window and let the light in
I broke out
I read
I traveled
I danced wildly across the continents
And prayed in tongues
I left home
And came back without conventions
A tight grip on loose morals
Forsaking traditions
Arms stretched so wide
I put pressure on the walls
Opening the space that confined me

Every break in my skin eventually closed,
Opening me up to the universe.

Cheyenne Marcelus

Cheyenne Marcelus

Cheyenne Marcelus is a health research professional by day, Poet by night, and round-the-clock mother and wife. Her debut poetry collection, Good to Me: A Poetic Journey to Self-Acceptance and Self-Preservation, was published in August 2018. She has performed at various spoken word events across Canada and the United States, and is a former South Regional Winner and State Finalist of the Mississippi Poetry-Out-Loud Contest. She is a Mississippi native who resides in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband and son.
Cheyenne Marcelus

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