Suffering and Suffrage

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 15:58 -- taylerc

The kitchen is her house.
One would think that it would be her home,
But living in a place does not make it a home
Nor does it make one’s living arrangement bearable.
She has been told that her purpose is to sustain him,
the “provider” and “protector” of her house.

The children are worse. If she only lived serve
The provider, that might be bearable because he is gone
Most of the day, but the children... They constantly
Command her attention. It is always about them.
The provider is like a child. Men are big children.
Why do their opinions count, and not hers?

But today is a good day.
Today the big children will vote
To see if those who live in the kitchen
Will be heard. They do not know that they
Will change the course of history, that they
Will lose the last remaining slaves they have.

The news comes the next day as “useless
Warble” according to the provider. Her joy cannot
Be tolerated, and she receives a backhanded
Blow. She endures, and though she cannot
Leave now, She will soon be free of her
“Provider” and become her own.

They cannot undo it.
They panic when she gets
A job. She smiles when she
Provides for herself, independent
of a male who views her as an object
and a toy. A slave. She wants for nothing.

She watches as the world changes from only
Male providers to strong, working women
Joining the ranks of corporations and
proving to be at least as competent
as men. The world has changed.
Equality will continue.

Guide that inspired this poem: 

Comments

Additional Resources

Get AI Feedback on your poem

Interested in feedback on your poem? Try our AI Feedback tool.
 

 

If You Need Support

If you ever need help or support, we trust CrisisTextline.org for people dealing with depression. Text HOME to 741741