Honey

April 11, 2014

"Take this food to your father,

Honey," I was told. Up the stairs

I marched, being the good daughter

I was. Why complain and split hairs?

"Wash those dirty dishes,

Honey," I was told. "Learn to be

A proper lady. Blow kisses,

Cross your legs, spray perfume, see?"

"Walk behind your husband,

Honey," I was told. I must play

the good wife, care for our kin

And conform to society like clay.

"Stay with the kids at home,

Honey," I was told. Forget

My degree, my career. Why roam,

why hope for possibilities, to only live with regret?

But truly I crave deep

In my soul, to be equal to man--

To build on ambitions, not steep

Parameters set up " 'cause I can"

Of blind foolishness.

If the world is no longer the same

As it claims, why then should woman make less

Than man when they both came

In the same position at work? Why then

Are women still objectified, online,

On television? Ordered by men,

To "Make me a sandwich," or "Don't whine."

Do not be fooled, for yet us women

have indeed made great strides, like Rosa Parks

In every history book, she is written

As the lady of the civil rights movement, the spark.

Yet farther we still reach.

Hilary Clinton nearly made it to the White House,

Practically in hand, her inaugural speech.

Wearing no tux, but skirt and blouse.

So years from now I hope,

Better sooner than later I implore,

That this country and this world can learn to cope

With a well adept woman dominating the floor.

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