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Caprial Koe

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Borrowing my mother’s jacket 

Not to take things away 

But to feel the power in those lapels

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As a child, I marveled at it 

Hung too high for me to reach 

Ready to open the breach 

From crayons to ballpoint pens

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Too big for my small arms to fill 

But trying it on to imagine that thrill

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By living in her clothes 

I clothed myself in her confidence 

Not walking a mile in her shoes 

But strutting a mile in her shirt

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Each time hoping that I would magically 

Grow into the woman she is 

Wanting to fit the clothes and the personality

That came with it

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Now the jacket fits 

Though I feel so unequipped 

To fill her place 

A woman whose fierce love 

Can move mountains 

And shake the Earth 

With how deeply she cares for 

The people she loves

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One day Mama 

I will be the woman you fought hard in this world to raise