Juliet Takes a Breath

by Gabby Rivera

“We are born with the power of the moon and the flow of the waves within us. It’s only after being commodified for our femaleness that we lose that power. The first step in gaining it back is walking face-first into the crashing seas and daring the patriarchy to stop us.” Raging Flower: Empowering Your Pussy by Empowering Your Mind, Harlowe Brisbane

Libraries had zero tolerance for bullshit. Their walls protected us and kept us safe from all the bastards that never read a book for fun.

I’d never considered there was anything beyond he or she. Or that folks could experience a multitude of genders within their person, like what?! That sounded amazing. Beautiful. Wild like the universe.

Her consistent linking of genitals to gender as an absolute is violent as hell. It’s a closed fist instead of open arms, you know? And besides,” she added, staring at herself unflinching in the mirror, “womanhood is radical enough for anyone who dares to claim it.”

You said reading would make me brilliant, but writing would make me infinite.”