Poem

Women's Tariff

We are raised to be accommodating,
To not complain.
No longer taught by textbooks,
But with violence and coercion.
Stay silent,
Stay alive.

The word "no" is slowly erased
From our vocabulary.
We must always put them first.
Do anything they want.
Hollowing ourselves out.
Our bodies available,
Piece by piece.

We turn to each other,
Looking for help,
For comfort.
But all we get is shame.
Even though you know,
And I know,
That we are not to blame,
That we all are treated
The same.

We are like divers,
Make yourself small,
Hold everything in,
Tighter
Don't make a ripple.

Not all of us surface.
Some remain,
Floating,
Lost.
Drifting.

Others tread the waters,
Trying to break free.

And some sink to the bottom.
Drowned by the weight
Of their sorrows.