It has been a rainy day here, and I’ve been looking out the window a lot at the gray sky. Looking out the window eats time from writing, but nevertheless, I persisted. And remembered when Mitch McConnell tried to silence Elizabeth Warren. When she would not be silenced, the Senate Republicans voted to silence her. McConnell told us “Nevertheless, she persisted”. So tonight I dedicate my poem to Elizabeth Warren. Keep on persisting.

Of course, some of the things in the poem have not yet come to pass; they are still in the pipe dream stage. But maybe one day, if we persist…

NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTED

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her no, you can’t vote.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she can vote.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her she must wear high heels.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she can wear comfortable shoes.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her she must smile.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she can look grouchy when she is.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her she must raise the children.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she is permitted to choose.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her housework was “women’s work”.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she asks the man to share the work.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her she couldn’t do math.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she is winning math awards.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her she couldn’t fly planes.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she is a pilot.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her she was hysterical.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she says what she thinks.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her she was shrill.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she insists her voice be heard.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her rape was her fault.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she works to take back the night.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her women aren’t funny.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she is doing stand up.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her men won’t marry smart women.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she is doing just fine without a man.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her men won’t marry smart women.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she is married to a man who wants a partner, not a slave.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her she wasn’t worth as much money.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she makes as much money as he does.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her she belonged to a man.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she belongs to herself.

 Nevertheless, she persisted.
They told her she was just a woman.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Now she is woman.