Her father used to tell her

to never turn her back to the ocean,
for she is a jealous woman.
But he was wrong.
She is not jealous,
but she is a woman.
Powerful,
consistent,
persistent,
and she will not be ignored.
She used to tell herself
that her heart needed to be quiet,
that her dreams needed to be silenced.
But she was wrong.
She is not jealous,
but she is a woman.
Breathtaking,
uplifting,
a gift,
and she will not be ignored.
So when you tell me
that I’m “just jealous,”
there’s no need to be callous.
I cared about you, in truth.
I’m not jealous,
but I am a woman.
Creative,
intelligent,
courageous.
And I will not be ignored.

~