Poem 36: I am a Woman

Woman drowned for witchcraft.

Girls groomed for their virtue. Honour used in a bargain

I am a Woman.

Sexual words in every job.

Eyes looking down instead of up. Hands reaching to touch a part of you. I am a Woman.

Charged for sanitary pads.

Punished over hymens.

Held back by gender.

I am a Woman.

Virgins are too pure. Experience means whore.

Women cannot win. I am a Woman.

Stay in the kitchen. Go raise kids.

Have more maternity. I am a Woman. Tattoos are manly. Clothes are too sexy. Dont be condent.

I am a Woman.

If I am in Power it means I am bossy. But if I don't speak I'm boring.

Men control our voices.

I am a Woman.

I cannot walk the street late at night. Rape is high among us.

But men have it too.

I am a Woman.

I don't want children.

I get told that's not right.

I have children young, I am a disgrace. I am a Woman.

I want an abortion.

The laws change.

But if a woman keeps it.

She pressures the man.

I am a Woman.

If I fart I am gross.

But if I am not horny I am abnormal.

My body functions are not mine.

I am a Woman.

If I speak my mind, I am controlling.

But when I say nothing, I should have spoken up.

I am a Woman.

If I specialise in something, it's not credited.

A man must explain what I already know.

I am a Woman.

If I say mansplain, I am sexist.

But thousands of years of abuse is not counted. Do not speak of the past, it's not relevant.

I am a Woman.

A Woman in the modern world.