What do you see when you look at me?
This broken, fragile vessel
Of a used up fragrance
That radiated
Confidence from my pores
Yet somehow
The scent no longer
Lingers on my wilted frame
You see, I am a woman.
I am a woman whose
Stomach has a pit as
Deep as the earth’s core,
The one you tried to throw me into
With this R, A, P, E
You did over me,
A vain attempt to steal my dignity
Shattered pieces on the ground
You threw me on
You see, I am a woman.
I am a woman that
Knows and understands the
Pain of being entered into
Without permission
No willing confession
Of so easily stripping my pride
Like tossing trash by your side,
When I’m truly a treasure
You see, I am a woman.
I am a woman who
Will never willingly give in
To a defeat I did not choose
Or stand by to be abused,
By your belief that you have the right
To say, do, or try anything,
That might fulfill your lustful desires
To try me out like new tires
On a test drive,
You see, I am a woman.
I am a woman born to fight,
For her right to say no,
And when that is not respected,
I will not be destroyed
Nor will my soul turn void.
Too many people need to see
That respect is not just a commodity
But a right in all reality,
You don’t own me.
In fact you would not exist without me,
You see, I am a woman.
I am a woman all
To familiar with violations,
Or societal stereo-types and stipulations
On my behavior.
My dress, my walk, my talk,
Or anything else
That might welcome
This R , A , P, E you did over me,
In fact there’s one 1 in 3 of me.
So turn to your side, see your mother,
Look behind you, face your daughter,
Then what’s left is a statistic that
Could be your sister who screams,
Don’t you see? I am a woman.
I am a woman with
Many names, many ages, many races,
Both rich, poor, and in between,
My face well-known, and hardly noticed.
Like Chaka Khan “I’m Every Woman”
It’s all in me.
And I will stand in solidarity
Against the R, A, P, E
You did over me,
And while you stole some sacred pieces we
Refuse to shield our tears,
You need to see, that
Your hungry power meant to destroy me
This vain attempt to steal my dignity
Was unsuccessful
Because you see
While I am broken,
I am healing.
Once a victim,
Now a survivor.
I am a woman
No longer silent,
I am.
Free.