Is it my duty
Obligation
Responsibility
To put on
A pretty face for you

Simply because I’m a woman

As though my life
Weren’t meant for more
Than the shadowy
Fantasies
Of others

As though my life
Weren’t my own
Beyond what a man
Would pay for

No my friends
That moment has passed
Of social sickness
Putrid illness

At least in my mind
But what’s true for you
Do you buy and consume
The old bloody ruse

How funny
How entrenched
The sins of old
Designed to confine us
And subjugate

One from another
Equal lovers
Partners make
For very poor soldiers

Converts and subjects
Free thinking
Free loving
Free wielding
Free me
Free you
For we

Are meant for more
Than such trifles
Distractions
Pawns
In a muddled
Man-made game

I’m looking forward to sharing this piece, and a couple others, TONIGHT, at the Spokane FemFest–Feminist Art Festival! Checkout this clip of our recent interview on Good Day Spokane, highlighting the event! And join us in Spokane, Washington tonight, 6 pm at the Bartlett, if you can!