The Collective Woman

What do you think

Your threats, shaming, and endless discrimination can do

Break me?

My courage is infinitely greater than your underestimation.

Because I’m not alone, I’m strong,

I consist of the million women of this country,

I am a single breathing creature of these thousand voices.

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Try drowning my dignity,

With all the raping, abuse, feticide, and the rest of that endless list and

I will fight back, equally strong,

In the moral way, I have substance-

I’ll rise higher every time you shove me down,

I am a being with every ounce of the capacity you think I lack.

I lack nothing and

I’m proud of what I am; don’t try making me ashamed because

You won’t succeed.

Shame on you! You’ve made people feel scared of

Our country with all

Your sexist crimes.

Lastly Darling, don’t forget that

I make this world whole every bit as you do;

I am your

Mother, sister, lover, stranger, and friend,

A person you can’t avoid knowing.

So here’s the treaty:

Let’s respect each other. Equally.  In every respect.

Now, is that such a tough bargain?

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