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.