she stands at the sink
hands in the water
watching it cloud then clear

cabinet doors hang crooked
hinges tired
nothing urgent enough to fix

her forehead against the fridge
magnets slipping under her palm
tears slipping down her face
hit the floor

she moves through rooms gently
practiced at making space
for everyone else

she holds the door open
as grocery bags bite into her wrists
as her grip goes white

she keeps hoping
after hope has left her
folded on the cold tile
back against the oven
timer screaming
unanswered

she rises slowly
heart unguarded
overthinks every tone
overloves every person
stays longer than she should
feels more than is required

she rests
when her body asks
lets the ache crest and pass
laughs
when the light hits just right

she doesn’t need to perform
or chase
or prove she has earned her softness
she stands as she is