I’m a feminist because there’s a fear
That runs deep in my bones
That one day my daughter
Might feel alone
In a world that shows
No mercy, no guidance or hope
For anyone who’s dared to believe
That womanhood is stronger
Than it seems
I’m a feminist because there’s an anger
Igniting my core
Making me scream until my throat’s sore
With a rage so bitter and so black
That I wish to go back
To the days when I was blissfully ignorant
About what it meant to be female
I’m a feminist because it pains me
To see
Young girls twisting and bristling
Wild with envy
Instead of banding together
We drift apart
Split veins of a
Dysfunctional heart
I’m a feminist because a sadness
As profound as the ocean
Washes over me when I realize
The life that was chosen
For me
Is wrapped up in the
Simple subtleties
Of genitalia and gender
Oh, girls, please do remember
Not to wither and conform
As soon as you’re born