Change for Women
Change for Women
Screams, I fear, can only be
counted upon
if clear help is
close by.
Change seems to me more of a
c-word–curved as a breast but coming
as cash,
contraceptives, clinics, condoms
children’s education, codification,
clitorises (uncut),
control – all
clasped
in our own closed fists–even, cautiously,
the clitorises.
Oh, how we will cheer.
************************************
I am posting the above – yes, it is an odd poem – for Susie Clevenger’s prompt on With Real Toads, called “We Scream Today.” I think that the prompt focuses more on violence against women – clearly, a huge issue, but one I just couldn’t bear to focus on this weekend. Also, frankly, in much of the world, women are powerless not only because of violence but because they have no true economic rights. Programs that make loans to women, allow women to establish their own bank accounts, to have some separate economic life from their husbands, have proved very successful in helping children as well as women. And, of course, I can’t think about women’s rights around the world without thinking of women’s rights to keep their bodies intact. I have written on this issue (FGM) before.
I thought of ending this poem with the line “Oh, how we will scream then,” in place of the current last line, but that seemed a little flippant. If anyone has a different view, however, feel free to voice it.
(All rights reserved, as always, in poem and pic.)
Explore posts in the same categories: poetry, UncategorizedTags: " Change for Women poem, "Change for Women, FGM poem, manicddaily, rights for women, We Scream poem, what we don't always talk about when talking about rights for women
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ManicDDaily 
March 3, 2013 at 10:40 pm
BRAVO!!!!!
March 3, 2013 at 11:47 pm
I love it. We need to raise awareness of all issues concerning women. Thanks you for taking part!
March 4, 2013 at 1:31 am
Thumbs up!
March 4, 2013 at 3:28 am
Yes!
March 4, 2013 at 3:53 am
A strong write. Great work!
March 4, 2013 at 4:25 am
I’ve always preferred the uncut version! Seriously, this is so clever: word play that is deadly serious and not to be taken lightly – and scores heavily on both scales. Fine work.
March 4, 2013 at 10:02 am
Each word (c and otherwise) is potently felt in this poem. You put it out there and each reader must respond in heart.
March 4, 2013 at 11:38 am
Thanks, Kerry. You made realize (somehow) that I left out an important c-word – condoms, which I’ve added in. k.
March 4, 2013 at 2:02 pm
Couldn’t agree more with this, k–there is indeed another, ‘softer’ element of abuse, and that is the impossibility of autonomy, of even existing outside a male-dominated household/environment. I have a friend who says, “Amazing how everything changes when women have birth control and can read,’ and it’s very true. That’s why those rights are the last and hardest to get for women, and the first they try to take away.
March 4, 2013 at 6:48 pm
Love the c-c words K ~ Very clever and effectively conveyed ~
Cheers ~
March 5, 2013 at 1:51 am
I like “C” as a shape for your scream.
March 5, 2013 at 6:17 am
Change seems to me more of a
c-word–curved as a breast but coming
as cash – and clasped in closed fist…
two really great lines in this…i like the sounds as well…some interesting word play as well as you address a very difficult or maybe the right word is unsettling issue…
March 6, 2013 at 11:40 am
your approach worked fine…
March 7, 2013 at 8:27 pm
…and when life is revered. I think of some Native American tribes where woman where honored for their life-giving ability. I think it has more to do with changing the way men think. But yes, if they don’t change, then what you said is true… education and the ability to control reproductivity does seem to help women!