Tonight I have been sitting here without much enthusiasm. For writing. For thinking. For much of anything. So I felt I had nothing to say. I wrote that line on the paper. It sparked a poem. So here is my poem about living in the world as a woman. What should I say?

First, five amazing women.

• Beyoncé - singer

• Fanny Blankers-Koen, Dutch track and field athlete, won 4 gold medals at the Olympics in 1948

• Hillary Clinton - first female presidential nominee for a major party in the US

• Valentina Tereshkova - first woman in space

• Sarla Thakral - first Indian woman to fly; got aviation license in 1936

WHAT SHOULD I SAY?

What should I say?
Should I tell you it’s been great?
I loved the flowers,
The wine,
The black eye?

 What should I say?
That you really are smarter than me
Even though the evidence
Suggests otherwise,
Because you are a man?

 What should I say?
Should I admit that I asked for it,
I wore the wrong dress,
I had a glass of wine,
I smiled?
Led you on?

 What should I say?
Should I say it was your idea,
That you thought up the brilliant plan,
Implemented it,
Saved the company millions?
So you get the promotion?

What should I say?
I think I should say forget it.
I did not like the black eye.
I am as smart as I am.
I did not ask for it.
I had the brilliant idea.

 Of course, no one will believe me.
I am only a woman.