I signed the papers
yesterday.

Every time I take another step forward,
another part of me dies.
Why?
Isn’t this what I wanted?
To break free?
To find independence?
Happy Independence Day
to all the perfect happy families around me
celebrating together
while I drown
in my tears
alone.

A picnic
or a firework
does little to brighten
my countenance today as I muffle
the soft whimpers of shattered dreams
and cradle empty arms from which my screaming, straining baby was ripped
only hours ago.