For centuries women have been
Pushed around.
Kicked about.
Degraded.
Traded like chattel.

Grimy men in grease-stained tees;
Men in white collared button ups, all with
Piercing eyes etching themselves into our
Backs.
Chests.
Souls.

Predator eyeing prey,
We are hungered for.

For too long we have been told
What to do.
When to do.
How to do.

For too long we have been
Corralled.
Chained.
Caged.

But now times have changed.

We stand tall, like
Lady Liberty
Boasting her torch,
We now light the way to a
Weathered path.

A path we had been taught to
Eradicate.
Vitiate.
Barricade.

A path entangled by a jungle
Of words and ideals,
Misogynistic men watered and
Watched as it flourished into their
Perfect World.

We are Warriors.

We clash with those who
Condemned us to a kitchen.
Its perfectly dusted cabinets,
Pregnant with commands.

Watch as our Voice now rises.
Heated,
It begins to swell in this twenty-first century Oven.

“Rise up and speak!”
Lady Liberty shouts.

For we are Women.