Why I resist and persist through poetry.
Feb 9, 2020
Story
I find myself feeling helpless, and at times hopeless. Women's rights to their own bodies are being restricted, if not completely denied when it comes to their reproductive autonomy. So, I scream in my poetry. I shout from the highest glass ceilings in hope that it may shatter from the vociferous vibrations of my voice. We can no longer remain caged by our politicians and religious leaders/texts. This is how I resist. My words are the key that unlock this political prison that restrains and restricts us. In my writing, I have found freedom. Within my poem, "Restrictions" I discuss every angle, every opportunity that has been used to define and restrain women, our bodies, our rights. I persist because women will never be free if our reproductive bodies/lives are viewed as political puppets of patriarchy.
"Restrictions" by Asherah
Restrict our anatomy
With legal deception.
Restrict our rights
To buy contraceptives.
Restrict our clinics
With undue cause.
Restrict our doctors
With burdensome laws.
Restrict our healthcare
By cutting the budget.
Restrict our souls
With religious judgement.
Restrict our futures
When you limit our body.
Restrict our lives
That you politic and lobby.
Restrict our access
By closing locations.
Restrict our choice
With misinformation.
Restrict our freedom
Dishonor the nation.
With each restriction
You close a door
Making us prisoners of
A reproductive war.