Trained
To raise our sons
In their fathers’ image,
To perpetuate wars
Waged on our children.

Mutilated
Vulvas, broken feet,
And perfectly willing
To inflict the same horrors
On our own daughters.

Ready
To cherish the boys
And abort the girls,
To fulfill what’s expected
Of mothers and wives.

Forced
To cover our faces,
Suppress our needs,
Kill our curiosity,
Renounce our identity.

Ignorance
As a way of life
In an inferior role, suited
(We are told)
To our inferior brains.

Burnt
As witches
When too wise or too free,
Sure, we have come a long way
In this brave modern world!

Now
Empowered and confident,
We stand accused
Of lack of humility,
For being (rightfully) proud
Of the progress we have made.

Now we are said to threaten
To castrate, humiliate,
If we compete as equals
And enjoy some success.

And how so very selfish of us
To ask to be loved,
Understood and respected,
To relate and connect
As whole human beings!