Dear Mr. Misogynist

Mr. Misogynist,

What am I to you?

When we pass on the narrow road, what do you see?

Look at my face

It’s as fully empty, as carefully closed, as steely wrought as yours,

We are not so different

When I rise against the morning sky I confront my labor

When I shoulder my burdens I bear the strain of my duty

When I breath in I feel the weight of the earth, of my people

At home I am not alone either

The work of my hands is a banner of endurance and pursuit

What is my worth

The salt water from my eyes waters the darkness

Yet at the dawn I stand and my smile lights the sun

Your heart is my heart, your mind my mind, your blood my blood

I am not purely flesh

You may not have me:

Disrespect is never acceptable,

I am my own, to give--  

Or not

Don’t assume, don’t grasp

Don’t slander, don’t steal

I am my own, to give

Or not

How dare you disguise and disgust…

What am I to you?

Why do you call to me from below?

Am I so desperate?

No. I will not tread your breast-strewn path

Don’t tell me who I am, don’t lie to me

Don’t you dare give me low value nonsense,

I know my worth.

Your worth is my worth

For you and I are more than animals,

We are brethren,

I am not your slave

Not your entertainment

Not your dirty, little secret tied up with a bow and kept under the rug,

I am your sister, I am your mother, I am your daughter

A woman;

Your strength is my strength,

You cannot flee, you cannot minimize your dependency

But I am more than that, I am your partner, and you are mine

One of us is ready for that position,

Where are you

Are you ready to take my hand and stop fooling around?

There is work to be done,

I am dressed for action; go, change your clothes.

I am ready, where are you?

Don’t assume, don’t grasp

Don’t slander, don’t steal

Don’t disrespect

Don’t.

Forget.

We are brethren;

Much love,

A Woman