A Woman's Bill of Rights
May 1, 2019
First story
The poem is actually empowerment and women want to be treated which I gathered from observations and conversation with many strong women. I wrote it as a series of affirmations woven together to make key points of victory , survival and resolve. The awesome responsibility to raise children, teach them how to make the right decision and keep the family together.
A Woman’s Bill of Rights
(A personal anthem)
These truths should be self-evident;
Self-explanatory and meant
To state the rules that must be kept;
This code of conduct I accept.
When I say no then all should stop.
I want a clear path to the top.
I have the power to refuse
The people causing me to lose.
If they want to dance and I do not;
They may run cold, but I run hot;
I’m confident and pick my fights;
Courage is in my Bill of Rights.
I will be treated with respect.
I am impatient with neglect.
I will earn trust and call a truce,
But will not tolerate abuse.
I will read you my Bill of Rights;
With preconditions and insights,
That govern how I will relate
And what I will not tolerate.
Women deserve equality,
Do not use my biology,
To dismiss me with bogus claims,
Just give me access to the game.
Equal work should get equal pay
And listen to the words I say.
I am willing to pay my dues.
Don’t think for me, just let me choose.
This constitutes my Bill of Rights.
Don’t overpower me with might.
Do not negate my liberty.
Do not erode my dignity.
Decisions and the male ego
Sometimes collide when I say no.
When doing things against my will,
The pressure feels like overkill.
We will embrace our feelings
And hope to replace glass ceilings.
Injustice is a lightning rod.
We will press on against all odds.
Some may try strength to hold me down.
And bully me to make me frown.
They are not heroes in my eyes
And I have learned to improvise.
So, pick on someone your own size
I’ve learned the art of compromise,
But I have rules by which I live;
What I receive and what I give.
Authority to seek my dreams;
Live a life with high self-esteem;
To be pampered as royalty,
Worthy of love and loyalty.
I own my body and my mind.
I’m not a hostage you can bind.
I won’t accept the slurs and slights,
This is a Woman’s Bill of Rights.
Copyright © 2018 Orlando Ceaser