A Woman Today

What does it mean to be a woman today?
You have some rights…that can be taken away.
Throughout time, no one much cares,
The injustice she suffers, the burden she bears.
In one breath, we regale her for giving life,
Then punish at work, seeing her first as a wife.
We tell her she’s great, but on presence falls short.
What we mean is, her leadership, she needs to contort.
Be more like a man, is what we seem to expect.
But, act like a man, and lose all respect.
Negotiate with confidence and you’re not a team player.
If she says something tough, you know they will slay her.
We’re too nice or a bitch, a slut or a prude.
We should be more concise, but be direct and we’re rude.
Movies where we are the main character,
A “chick flick”, we call it, as kind of a slur.
It’s much easier to fit in the realm we’ve known best.
Not the lead in the film, but the lead’s love interest.
Be pretty. And docile. And, God help you, thin.
For landing the prince is how we’re to win.
And, from there of course, we’ll live on happily
As, pretty much, someone else’s property.
It hasn’t been that long since we were literally deemed chattel
And the rights to our bodies, was a big part of that battle.
We’ve had to fight to level the ground.
Voting, equal pay, slow coming around.
So where does this leave us, women today?
I’m thinking, I’m reeling, I can’t help but dismay.
Where are we if we do not have a choice?
If the answer scares you, please use your voice.