Peaceful Protest

We give birth to daughters to reflect our own image;
Our sons, we give to fathers to use for scrimmage.
When the boys are old enough, they die for their fathers
After creating more warriors with bodies of our daughters.

What are we doing when our men abuse our child or us?
Is laying our bodies over our children even discussed?
Do we use our children's bodies to protect ourselves,
Rather than standing strong in the face of man's hell?

What if we stop bearing babies until our world embraces peace;
Would this be a guarantee that all wars would then cease?
What if every marriage began with a contract for education,
Not only for the partners, but for the children of their creation?

Only we, as women, can stop this eternal madness,
Though a world without children will bring sadness.
Until our men create treaties for world peace,
Let us make a commitment to have births cease.