Cast Down
Cast Down
I am a young girl with a delicate mind
to be molded,
Sitting in the front row with a pressed sundress
and hands in dainty white gloves gently folded.
My society is a cast system that allow me to go
no further than this station.
There is no upward mobility, no promotion.
The government genocide my girls,
saying there are too many in our world.
They are not as important as the males
that are pushed forward to assail.
My husband died,
therefore I must be ostracized
and live in the City of Viridian, on the streets outside.
I’m only 15 and the law is the blame,
that when my husband died I am to be shamed.
I’ve been here since the beginning of time put here by
The Master of birth,
creator of earth.
In my land singing songs in my voice
Can be a deadly choice.
I have dwelled in caves, houses, palaces, and shanty huts
I live in the hottest and coldest of lands
I’m a queen of nations
with many challenging vocations.
I’m suppressed by Taliban regimes
I am too one of God’s most prized creations
Living in depressed nations
Man forgot how special, delicate
and strong I am. But if I smile
it could mean my exile.
I must go through body mutilation
Only to rise up as a tribal creation.
My mother sold me
for a month’s supply of tea.
My husband suppresses me,
ignore me like I’m an invisible shadow,
a fly on his shoulder.
I the woman, have to break up boulders.
Not allowed to speak to move about with the free
spirit I am.
Used only for whispers and closeness at night,
Not for my mind or my insight.
To bring about the birth of another that will
stifle my flight.
who will ignore me while learning
the unequal culture of this place,
judging me if I am in the sunlight showing my face.
I sit in boardrooms among the tailored made suits,
dictating the plans of the day.
They stare at me with silent harsh words.
I’m one of the brightest recruits.
Being strong, intellectual and watching my back,
climbing the ladder pass the glass ceiling
Working with small minds being ever unyielding.
Still at times suppressed and cast down.
I refuse to walk with my eyes on the ground.
I thank those before me
that had the strength, patience and endurance that led us to be free.
Copyright © Chris Raines | Year Posted 2014
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