Content warning: reference to gun violence.
WHAT GOOD IS SELF CARE?
Slip forbidden whetstone to a virgin weighing the odds.
When she cries out for guidance, teach her to consult the gods.
A flimsy blade is more cruel of a tease than empty hands.
Unkind, to teach a fighting spirit that she stands a chance.
Wise mind got branded as some silly woman’s toy, and so
Its usefulness to revolutionaries: little known.
I ask, what good is self care when they shoot you in the face
For witnessing and questioning and not knowing your place?
It’s easy to feel powerless after a tragedy, but there’s always a way to help even if the damage feels impossible to remedy in full. If this poem moved you, please consider a donation in Renee Nicole Good’s name to Vermont Journalism Trust, rated 91% on Charity Navigator.
Thank you so much for reading my work. See you next week.
