Suffering and Suffrage

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.