The problem with being a woman

The problem with being a woman

is that you’re limited for choice:

succumb to patriarchal conditioning

or start to raise your voice.

Now, the world wants to keep women down –

so if you succumb, you lose out.

But if you decide to reach for your wants

you really have to shout.

People will want you to vanish;

to shut up, be quiet, go away.

And you’ll have to dig in your heels –

when they tell you to leave, you stay.

They might call you a bitch, a brat, a pain –

let it drift like a passing cloud.

And continue to reach for all that you want;

to be big and bold and LOUD.