We Are . . .

We are the name for all that is holy

contradicting men were created in God’s imagine

We earn 80 cents to the dollar a man earns

In our frustration of being educated and having more

experience than most men; they get the job, we both

apply for.

To challenge their money, wearing next to nothing we slid

down poles, whip ourselves as a punishment for

Keeping quiet when our father’s, brother’s and uncles touch

us and say not to tell anyone.

paying for our abortions,

giving the unwanted child a better life in death, then

to be surrounded by people who could not care for them

where is the punishment for a man who planted the seed

in our garden?

In our despair we scream, plead, beat our own breast yelling

we are equal to men.

But, we never see them sliding down poles or whipping themselves

for something they could not control?