They said build a wall
when what they meant was
let’s rip off the additions
to this building
so that it stands erect
and makes us feel like men
Strip away the protections
for the poor
kick the same-sex sinners
to the curb
sequester the accented
and the abortion lovers
to the alleyways
Let those lame suckers duke it out
while we remake
the world
in our image
as it was
in the
beginning
They said we will stop
at nothing
stop
means
nothing
we will rip off your dress
we will rip off your elders
we will rip off the unborn
babies
we claim
to care so much about
And in these halls
we will fill our back pockets
with back room deals
slip out the back door
while you bitches bang
on the two front doors
whining
about bodies
wah wah wah
We will take with us
the money
the food
the car
and
make your life a living hell
What they forgot:
their mothers
the wombs that fed them
the canals they traveled
into the light of day
that greeted them like
pale princes
destined
for the throne
What they forgot:
in the beginning
before there was Adam
there was a great void
darkness before light
and a woman
Lilith
who said, Nah
and flew away
What they forgot:
we hold the keys
we are up in the night
making maps and plans
sharpening our knives
no longer caring
how we look
in the mirror
Women
come
listen to me closely
it is not your fault
it is not your fault
it is not your fault
Women
come
listen to your sister
whose cells remember
chains and darkness
Women
come
listen to your daughter
who was born singing
a new song
Thank you. I cannot love this enough…
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Thank you, Jeannie.
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Such a strong poem in the interest of women, held down, harmed, abused and ignored (and worse)—-an exceptional writing. We need so much more of these clarion calls to truth and the true reality of our lives. Beautifully written.
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So absolutely amazing. I can hear the drums, the chanting, keys jangling, women panting, stomping, all saying, in their words, sounds, movements, how they touch one another, “Yes and yes and yes.”
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Beautiful! I needed that one.
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Thank you so much.
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