Lucille Clifton - To my friend, Jerina lyrics

listen, when I found there was no safety in my father's house I knew there was none anywhere. you are right about this, how I nurtured my work not my self, how I left the girl wallowing in her own shame and took on the flesh of my mother. but listen, the girl is rising in me, not willing to be left to the silent fingers in the dark, and you are right, she is asking for more than most men are able to give, but she means to have what she has earned, sweet sighs, safe houses, hand she can trust.