Freedom
Basic freedom was denied
And daily I cried.
Labeled as the “weaker sex”
Taunted mercilessly. My soul grew vex.
Wretched. Worthless
An imbecile. Senseless.
They said I wouldn’t become anything of worth
They cursed even the day of my birth.
I staggered around feeling inferior
While my brothers were considered totally superior.
They were sent to school to become educated
While I remained at home, feeling suffocated.
I had to learn to cook, wash, clean and sew
While the “men” were allowed to just get up and go.
I was subservient, considered a fool
My own flesh and blood acted adversarial and cruel.
I was called a clod
A mistake of God.
Salty tears stained my face each night
I was physically incapable of putting up a fight
Forced to accept my fate
I felt my chest well up with venomous hate.
I despised the system of inequity
And having to suffer in obscurity.
Did I not have rights too,
Were the preachers being false, and untrue?
Created in the Father’s image? What a farce
If so, why was I being treated as Second Class?
Why did men see me as chattel, a worthless thing
Good only when they wanted to have a fling.
Why has my voice been silenced; unceremoniously put on pause
While my masculine counterparts get to bask in man’s applause.
I've been relegated to this lowly place
Must I forever dwell in disgrace?
The devil is a liar, he came to deceive and kill
But I refuse to let him squash my ambition and will.
Like a seed planted deep, my roots began to grow
There were so many things my enquiring mind wanted to know.
I watered my curiosity while searching for clarity day and night
Soon I felt empowered and strengthened; ready to put up a fight.
It was the dawn of a brand new day
Fervently, I began to pray.
“Rescue me, Lord. I need You now
Save! Help! deliver me somehow.
I’ve borne untold suffering and pain
There has been no sunshine; only copious showers of rain.
I feel neglected
Rejected
Used
Abused
Victimized
Marginalized.
I’m drowning in sorrow
Will I live to see tomorrow?
Will I always be trodden on
Crushed underfoot. Is this where I belong?
I need to grow, to blossom to bloom
I shall not be confined. Give me more room
I'm innovative
Superbly creative
An analyst
A scientist
Teacher
Preacher
Psychologist
Agronomist
Wife, mother, confidant, friend
Mentor, counselor, one on whom others depend.
Don't put me in a box; I resent confinement
Give me my wings and let me experience bliss and contentment.
Let me soar unencumbered to the sky
I want to be free to make choices without being asked, why.
Give me liberty
Set me free...
...Free to be whom I was created to be
...Free to be the best version of me
...Free to use my God-given ability
...Free from constant scrutiny.
Don’t ‘down’ my femininity
LET ME BE FREE!”