Tonight I'm feeling exhausted and numb from a 12 hour work day. That might explain the poem that I present tonight. What is it really like to be a woman?

I FEEL

Tonight I feel nothing.
Not sorrow or shame.
Not pride or achievement.
Anger? No, not even that.

Tonight I feel something.
Sorrow and shame.
Embarrassment and loathing.
Anger. Yes, anger and fear.

Tonight I feel…maybe.
Tentative and scared.
Inadequate and ridiculous.
Desire? Oh, yes, definitely desire.

Tonight I feel strong.
Powerful and capable.
Bold and brash.
Beautiful? Yes, even that.

Tonight I feel tired.
Broken and bruised.
Discarded and worthless.
Ashamed? Of course, I feel that.

Tonight I feel…weird.
Hated and adored.
Petted and pummeled.
Confused? Most certainly confused.

Tonight I feel abused.
Groped and felt up without consent.
Underpaid and ignored.
Understood? No, definitely not understood.

Tonight I feel…like a woman.
Alive and dead.
Numb and sensitive.
Empowered? No, rarely that.