Source: Pixabay
This is my entry for @teamgirlpowa's poetry contest about Feminist Fire, which is being judged by @shawnamawna, @limabeing, @rachelhanson10, and @tessaradudley.
Artist Statement:
I was intrigued when I saw this contest post. At first, I wasn't going to enter because I don't really consider myself a feminist. I'm not big on labels, but I do believe everyone should have equal rights no matter their gender, race, ethnicity, or social status. So, I suppose in that right and the fact that I am a woman, I would fall under the feminist category. I guess the better way to say it, is that I am not a feminist activist.
We are a feminist space, even though not all of us feel like we fully own the label feminist.
Seeing that statement made me feel like I fit in a bit better, and when I read through their powerful statements, an idea began to form.
Fast forward a few days, and I still felt the pull to at least try to create something for the contest.
My entry is a bit different from others that I've read. It's not quite a rage, but rather a quick glimpse through a history of struggle, and a call at the end to show respect to those that have gone before us and to keep fighting for those that follow.
Cave to Current: The Feminine Fight
You club me on the head And drag me by the hair I'm left to start the fire And cook the fucking bear
Then I whisper in your ear I'm the voice that's in your head Yet the whole empire knows My place is in your bed
I wait in fear always As you plunder and you rape Hiding the kids in terror Knowing there's no escape
As the wagon rolls west And the natives bear down I fear we are amiss For leaving the safe town
And yet I had no choice My voice is never heard And now our death is coming For a dream now absurd
I'm tired and I'm angry I'm tearing at this dress Why does us wearing pants Cause you such distress?
As you go off to war My fight rages at home Suffrage is the call The reason, a chromosome
How did we come so far Yet back in a dress I go Serving your martini And going with the flow
I'm screaming in my mind And broken in the heart When will I be equal I should've been from the start
My voice is being heard And silenced all at once For if I speak too loudly So begin the witch hunts
Times have largely changed We've come so far, it's true But there is still so far to go When trending is #MeToo
My voice will not be silenced I cannot stop this fight For those that went before me I'll scream with all my might
And for those that go after Daughters, sisters, women all Don't settle to be held down And know that above all
We did the best we could To give you a fighting chance So keep the fire burning No matter the circumstance
Keep your head up high And don't give in to fear Be sure this world remembers We're women, and we're here!
Thank you for reading! ❇ If you liked it, please upvote, and let me know what you thought in the comments! ❇ Other recent posts: ❇ ✒ The Box Office (My Entry for the Art Prompt Writing Contest) ❇ Y'all Best Show Some Respect...to the Lima Beans?? ❇ 🎉100 Follower Celebration, 📣Shoutouts, a 🍴New Kitchen, & an 📜Invitation for YOU!! 🤗 (Part 1) ❇ ❇ ❇ 🍴 The Kitchen - Greeter's Guild Discord