I am Woman, I am Resolute

"International Women's Day" marks a day just for us - the eighth day of March, the entire Women's Month;

For empowerment, they say; yet I'm weary of liberal "feminism," non-inclusive, elitist; it reeks of "pick me."

It's heart-wrenching in our struggle against the patriarchy;

We're pitted against each other,

Hating the game, the players, and ultimately ourselves.

How can we celebrate Women's Month;

When our sisters perish at the hands of aggressive, violent males; applauded or given a mere slap on the wrist for "accountability" by other hidden oppressors?

How can we celebrate Women's Month now;

When our sisters have their rights stripped away "legally," by those who've never borne life, never bled monthly for prime years?

How can we celebrate Women's Month;

When mothers are drowning in oppression, unknowingly setting examples for their children to endure or inflict abuse?

How can we celebrate Women's Month;

When, now more than ever, our sisters face threats worldwide, from those who feel entitled to their existence?

When violations against women's bodies are glorified in war, by soldiers who forget they have mothers, sisters, daughters, friends?

How can we celebrate Women's Month when sisters from the Philippines, Afghanistan, Iran, Palestine, Sudan, Myanmar, India, and even all the way to red state - America have paid in blood?

Their stories become numbers, statistics, despite our unwillingness.

A man is half the human a woman is, they say;

But then, they'd cite scripture to claim superiority.

Yet they won't acknowledge they were made from dirt,

While women, from a living rib.

The state of the world in shambles, men deeming women too emotional;

Yet they don't recognize anger as their own emotion.

Wherever oppressive, violent men tread, bloodshed and death follow.

For too long, men silenced women, taking credit for their achievements, relegating them to irrelevancy.

The audacity of men, yet they owe their lives to women.

Like the unsung heroines before us,

Those barely etched in history books -

Henrietta Lacks, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Lise Meitner, and countless others.

Those who marched at Stonewall for true equal representation;

Those who defy tribal traditions of female genital mutilation, educating and saving communities.

All women, of all colors, all ages;

The world's enriched with your presence.

We'll have our IWD celebrations;

But never forget, a revolution's what we truly crave.

Dancing as we claim liberation for women worldwide;

Slaying, even if our manicures break over it.