Gender Equality

An old man stepped into the light to educate us and said,
A woman should be tamed,
A woman should be locked in a cupboard for safe keeping,
A woman should fold her dreams into the hands
of a man that preach love,
She should live in the pit of a man's heart
and stay buried deep within his soul.
Oh! Listen to their voice break the peace of water as men pour fire
inside their heart
and bend them into what lives after pain.

Then I opened my mouth to breath words like fire....
You said a woman should wait for a man
that will steal her voice and give her silence?
But I know of women whose voice break
the night into fragment of stars,
I know of women made of bones,
Who fight for space in the soil with their fingers.
Look at their hands raised in thunder!
See how they scatter darkness with the fire in their eyes,
See how they get up after a night of grief and despair and do what
need to be done to feed their children.

As my voice filled his ears, his eyes mirrored his anxiety,
His hands press together in worry , his face separate them in
shame.
Then I greet his silence like an old friend and said
"What a man can do, a woman can do better" if given a chance
Let there be equality for all.

01/02/2019
CONTEST NAME: Free Verse Style Only
SPONSOR: Emile Pinet
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Agustin Avatar
November 25, 2024 at 9:37 PM
I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
Dietrich Avatar
January 11, 2019 at 7:57 PM
I saw today the movie called "Basis of Sex" Goes great with the message of this poem. Thought I would come back and tell you. I think you would really like that movie.
Obinefo Avatar
January 12, 2019 at 7:33 PM
WOW Andrea, I will love to watch such movie. Soup mail me on how to get the movie and thanks for re-visiting my page. You are the best
Dietrich Avatar
January 5, 2019 at 6:45 PM
I LOVE the message of this poem. So wonderful!!! I heard it's the age of "women" so we can expect many great things to be coming!!
Obinefo Avatar
January 7, 2019 at 11:31 PM
Thanks Andrea. I am happy to know that you like my poems and thanks for visiting
Makama Avatar
January 5, 2019 at 10:09 AM
Wow! I lack words to say... This is beautiful, this is wonderful, this is soul-tapping, this is breath taking, this is sooooooo original and this is new even in a theme that has lingered since the existence of man. I pray you win the contest.. Great, so great... Welcome to poetrysoup friend. I enjoyed your lines so much and this page is going straight to my favs..
Obinefo Avatar
January 7, 2019 at 11:29 PM
Thank you very much...... Your words of encouragement touched my heart. I feel highly motivated and thanks for visiting
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace