Day 25
From today’s poem, you might guess I am tired. You would be right. I am tired. Tired of being second to men. Tired of being ignored, talked over, whistled at, grabbed, paid less, mocked. Women feature prominently in the work done in this country, and every country, yet they are treated in many cases as if they have no brain, and many men assume they do little or nothing. A lot of women are tired. Today I write for women in a variety of different fields - and these don’t begin to touch on everything women do.
WHY IS THE WOMAN TIRED?
Why is the woman tired?
What do women do all day?
I imagine the TV was on,
Her feet were up,
And she sipped hot tea.
Why should a woman be tired?
Mister, I have been working.
I teach your children science.
I feed your children food.
I clean up after you.
I take out your garbage.
I wash your socks.
Why is the woman tired?
She has all the breaks.
A man must work his ass off
To bring home the bacon,
To protect the household,
To hunt the mammoth.
Why should a woman be tired?
Mister, I have been working.
I drive a bus.
I am a doctor.
I work in a meat-packing plant.
I package groceries.
I do construction.
Why is the woman tired?
She is taken care of.
Men work for her,
Slave for her,
Turn over everything they own to her,
And get little in return.
Why should a woman be tired?
Mister, I have been working.
I paint houses.
I am a cop.
I work in a hospital.
I sell houses.
I am a lawyer.
Why is the woman tired?
I told her I love her.
Isn’t that enough?
Must I also spend my evenings
Washing dishes
And taking out trash?
Why is the woman tired?
Mister, I have been working.
I bring in money to pay the rent.
I find every sale to save money.
I cook your meals.
I launder your clothes.
I bail you out after your DUI.
Why is the woman tired?
I just want to have sex.
Is it too much to ask?
I have needs, too.
I worked all day, and I need her.
Why would she say no?
Why is the woman tired?
Mister, I have been working.
I milk the cows.
I wait the tables.
I clean toilets at the school.
I run a kennel.
I am a mechanic.
Besides, I do not wish to have sex with you.
My body belongs to me.