and when they refuse to listen

i hope you scream until your lungs give out

i hope you fight until your body collapses, bruised and tired, immobile.

i hope you smile as blood pours out of your lips, your eyes locked onto theirs

i hope you die full of rage and beauty, your entire existence a defiance

we'll watch as the next generation of women stand taller, shamelessly taking more space than we ever could, rising up on our ashes

our bones will decay, paving the way to their victory

we will never go quietly

so take your last breath, proud of the sacrifices you made and the battles you never backed down from

for now we rest, until we're born again, to destroy all that has destroyed us