I am not ashes

I wanted to be gold But they named me “woman,” I longed to be bold, but oppression pressed its hand against my mouth, and called it love. I dreamed of being an angel, yet I was cast into fire— not for sin, but for the crime of being born female. They placed a halo on my head with voices saying, “For such a pretty girl.” But it was woven from barbed wire, and every compliment made me bleed to death I can see the rings supposed to be mine But you will not chain me No not this time I have danced with the killer in my head I shared the devil’s bed. I have carried the world’s anger but now I let it fall, shattering into sparks. I am the forest wildfire, I rise in smoke, I burn in purpose, I made the whole World burn Just to feel the heat I am not ashes. Like you wanted me to be