It's hard to be a woman in a world that wants you less
Than a blow-up doll; than a dishwasher; than a coin-operated
Jukebox cranking out the same tired hits.
//
He wants it pert and pliable, slick and smell-less, ready when he is and,
Dear God, not a second sooner, not wanting, not crying, not bleeding,
Not speaking unless it's thank you. Unless it's perfect, no notes.
//
It's hard to be a woman but here I am, the ghost in the shell,
The whisper in the night, saying more, saying it's not enough,
Begging for a fresh tune, and realizing I'll have to write it myself.
About the Creator
Suze Kay
Pastry chef by day, insomniac writer by night.
Catch me here for spooky stories, crushable poems, and overall weird thoughts.
Or, let me catch you on my website!
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Vocal Bonus Leaderboard: 11/29/2023
Welcome to the latest edition of the Vocal Bonus Leaderboard, where we showcase the outstanding achievements of our creators! 🌟 Based on feedback from yesterday's Creator Chat (and many other voices prior!), we are thrilled to introduce a new Leaderboard category: Emerging Creators. This award recognizes creators who joined the platform within the last 90 days, and achieved the highest combined number of likes and comments on a story published in the past week. It's our way of acknowledging and encouraging new creators on the platform. The addition of this award is just the beginning of enhancements we will make to the Leaderboard.
By Vocal Teama day ago in Resources
Comments (7)
Ahhh this is so good. So true and so well written. The lead up to that final line was just perfect. I’m officially addicted to your poetry.
Sometimes, you gotta take matters into your own hand. I found this acerbic, and exasperating in how relatable it is… yet, sexy. I love being a woman, and I do feel we hold the power. That’s why we’ve been told we don’t for centuries. Physiologically and metaphysically, we are vessels. I appreciate everything said and left unsaid on these nine lines.
Life as a woman is wayyyy better without a man. Lol. Loved your poem!
Write the life you want to live... Excellent work!
In a relationship, a tune that is not written together is either simply a gift or a request. And even then it requires the other to respond in harmony or counterpoint if there is any hope for a duet. Without the interplay or give & take between the voices it's nothing more than a solo performance with a prop falling completely flat (whether the "performer" knows it or not). The audience walks away never needing to repeat the experience & the other individual gets put away as a prop until finally recognizing their role as part of the audience & walking out with everyone else. Powerfully expressed with an extreme economy of words. (In other words, you said it much better & more evocatively than I did, lol.)
💙
Yup! All that! But loved the last light -very empowering 🤍