Half-Lived Poem by Stefanie Fontker

Many say we are half-lived
Half loved and more often
Forgotten, less thought of
Memories split into two
Remembered and oppressed
Like scars and mothers
There is no chance of choice
Only absolution remains
Forced to breath, to bleed
To look like the others
And to drink poisoned water
We are what we were made to be
In this life the individual
Is not seen, does not exist
There are only numbers
Names are for objects
Something greater than people
To cry would be to welcome pain
It is suicide to strike back
Rebellion is nothing but a trend
Two women are equal to one man
And children are collateral
A person gives birth to pebbles
Cylindrical and copper scented
That are forced into parts
Of terrified dogs and cats
For safe keeping and thoughts
As we cut and slash into ourselves
Into our hearts, into our heads
It is sometimes comforting to know
We are half-lived and twice dead