I didn’t leave all at once

I left bit by bit

When all of the hits

The cuts

The blows

The betrayal

And the grief

Had compacted me

Near to death

I began to steal

Myself away

And hide

Little bits of myself

Piece by piece

Step by step

Brick by brick

I took a little dust

A little ash

A little blood

Tucked away

Inside

And with stubborn love

And careful hope

I grew a soul you could not stain

A heart you could not break

A mind you could not poison

A voice you could not silence

A truth you could not discredit

And skin you will never touch

I didn’t leave you all at once

It was little by little

With not a single regret