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Balance (Greatly Edited To Fit)

I guess that the revolution
was meant to take place between my
thighs
and below my waist
I guess that the revolution
expects me
to shorten my stride
and slow my pace
just so that I will always remain
a few steps behind you
	submissive
	subservient 

you claim that this is some role 
that I must fill
	mother 
	nurturer
while you
you are the
	warrior
I can not be multi-dimensional
I have to remain weak
while you exhibit strength
how can women be meek
and have the ability to bring forth life?
Our bodies have the capacity
to house and nourish another entity
while you have the audacity
to believe that man
is superiority to me
  why would you now believe that
  you are stronger
  you are smarter 
  than I?

Even the most simplistic
hunter & gatherers
understood the true value of their women
the men may go out and hunt
	sometimes returning empty-handed
	sometimes returning without enough meat
the women’s work of gathering
ensured that there would always be something to eat
the spark of civilization was lit by feminine energy
	when people are not left to go hungry
	they have the energy to be productive
	the ability to build empires
	the ability to create new technologies
	the chance to develop the arts
	and express their creativity

Just do not expect me to birth
the babies of the revolution
	if you are unwilling to help rear them
do not expect me to lift you up
	by allowing you to stand on my shoulders
do not ask me to listen to your stories of pain, struggle, and hurt
	and expect me to act like I do not have my own

I'm tired of being told
that my actions or views
are emasculating
we women have always exist
	we are damned if we do
	and damned if we don’t
fix your lips to say that we are too independent
and call us gold-diggers and materialistic
in the next breath
so which is it?
would you prefer If I keep my hands in 
your or my pocket?

See—I demand that an adult male act like a man.
I see too many women spending their time
trying to raise and nurture overgrown boys
stroking their egos
right along with their dicks
 ignoring their worth
and surrendering their bodies and spirits

     Look
     I know my role
It is not behind you
It is beside you
I am not a toy
I am not a parrot
I am not a dog or horse
that needs to be trained in obedience 
We are counterparts
	yin and yang
	opposite poles

I understand that a relationship
 between a woman and man
relies on balance
and mutual respect
Now, I ‘m waiting for you
to take hold
and grasp
this fact

Copyright © Cherise Charleswell | Year Posted 2009

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Date: 4/20/2016 1:42:00 AM

Cherise Charleswell, nicely done. Glad to read your poem today. XoX *Linda*"
Date: 8/15/2009 6:16:00 AM

Welcome to PoetrySoup Cherise. Love, Carol

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