Claiming Space

We batter the box
leave it in shambles
shatter the ceiling
to leave the basement below
we begin the battle
of claiming space
lifting voices rusty from disuse
into speech and cheer and song
we blow past the limit lines
that have told us to remain small
push back against the shouts
that demand our invisibility
we rise
without crushing others beneath our heels
we occupy space
stretch our wings and our limbs
allowing ourselves
to become fully-fledged – Caroline A. Slee