Jane Eyre

I am sick of hearing

that you would have been more interesting

had you accepted that you were built for labor

and not for love.

You do not need to be interesting! You have had enough

nights shut up in the red room.

Little fae girl, wicked and sharp-tongued,

Believe me when I tell you

it was holy revelation that called you to remember:

the real world is wide.

Not-so-little fae girls

shut up in our own red rooms

have wept for your losses

and cheered for your love.

We know what it is to want and want and want -

when you cried out to God

for permission to take your life as your own,

we were crying with you.