and i’ve had just about enough
of men turning their faces in the street
leers and grins stamped onto their
carnivorous faces
of crowded buses where they jab themselves
at my body like rusting knives; hurt before
still hurts
of rape jokes played out in large groups
to general laughter and don’t they realise
that’s someone’s agony
of hearing, girls can’t do maths, can’t be
scientists and they can’t drive, we’ve always had
a double burden
of aunts and uncles asking in honeyed tones
why my skin isn’t fairer, my smile wider
i’m always fighting
how do i put in words
this everyday indiscriminate assault
it doesn’t matter who you are
or what you do
you’ll never be enough
so let me tell you
that you are so much more than beautiful
and we must have courage
for our granddaughters as our
grandmothers had for us
it’s too much but we know we’ll keep moving on.
-x-
Violence towards women is a major issue no matter where you live. Speak up and stop staying silent.
“Here’s to strong women – may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them”. – Anonymous
Happy Women’s Day, March 8, 2015.
