Chasing Superwoman
What's the point of being Superwoman if the cape chokes you in the process? I regarded the words "Strong Black Woman" as a badge of honor. The fact that I could bend and not break. I could take all that life threw my way without faltering. I could continually work overextending myself without batting an eye. I faced a cardiac scare and won. I was invincible. Eventually that cape started to get heavy. It had a death grip on my neck. A reminder that I'm human. "Human" a moniker that I diminished for not being extraordinary enough to describe the woman I am. I held myself to an unrealistic standard in the effort to be perfect. Chasing perfection, I put on a happy face to go with my cape. Taking my blows. Remaining bloodied but unbowed. Afraid to admit that behind the "S", the guise of a smile, that I am falling. Quickly plummeting towards the earth without a parachute. Unanswered unspoken calls for help. So busy trying to save face, I forgot to save myself.