I’ve been sort of intense lately, and I wanted to get whimsical tonight. The trouble is, I couldn’t think of anything whimsical. So I went for irony. Another poem. I know, two poems in a row, that’s asking a lot of a reader, but…well, when my mind is in the mood to write a poem, there’s literally nothing I can do with it. A poem it must be. So here, tonight, I describe the benefits of patriarchal culture.

THE BENEFICIARY OF PATRIARCHAL CULTURE

I am the beneficiary of patriarchal culture.
Men protect me.
Men look after me.
Men tell me what to do.
I do not have to think for myself.

 I am the beneficiary of patriarchal culture.
Men put me on a pedestal.
Men worship at my feet.
Men work long hours to feed and clothe me.
I do not have to work for myself.

 I am the beneficiary of patriarchal culture.
Men interrupt me.
Men talk over me.
Men explain my own field to me.
I do not have to speak for myself.

 I am the beneficiary of patriarchal culture.
Men leer at me.
Men whistle at me.
Men grab my ass.
I do not have to grope myself.

 I am the beneficiary of patriarchal culture.
Men condescend to me.
Men overlook me.
Men do not hear me when I speak.
I do not have to ignore myself.

 I am the beneficiary of patriarchal culture.
Men beat me.
Men bruise me.
Men murder me.
I do not have to hurt myself.

 I am the beneficiary of patriarchal culture.
I am woman.