Protest Poem: "For the Women"

Nations have armies

This post is a protest poem.

I am furious that women’s rights have decreased within my lifetime, and today’s inauguration is a real gut-punch. I don’t normally send out extra posts, but I needed to make some noise today.

I hope you’re doing well.

FOR THE WOMEN

I rule my body.
I kind of just have this policy
Wherein I have to hold higher standards than the law, even.
I have to function as a sovereign nation.

We all know nations have armies.

I never want to commit harm,
But as a young woman with slender arms,
I felt myself in a vulnerable position,
And so,
I made a commitment:
I learned how to kickbox,
I learned how to fight a grown man to the ground,
I learned how to turn my voice into a growl,
I spent a whole year of my early twenties
Just getting ready for what was coming.

We all know nations have armies.

I rarely had to use it,
But I haven’t forgotten a thing.
This mess we’re in best clear up fast, don’t make me turn my rings.

I know so much more than that boxing girl did.
I know what’s allowed,
Both from me and from the crowd.
I learned how to steer into the skid. 

We all know nations have armies. 

I can so easily spot those who would harm me.
How could the patriarchy possibly catch me when they’re moving in bullet time?
I’m already up too high,
Too late to destroy me,
Too late to bonsai-deform me.

We all know nations have armies.

Even the ones who smile pretty,
Who talk a big game about quality of life.
Just question the wrong person twice,
You’ll see.

We all know nations have armies.