Women Are You Listening?

May 21, 1914. English suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst (1858 - 1928), founder, 
with her daughter Christabel (1880 - 1958),  of the Women's Social and Political Union in 1903, 
is removed from a Suffragette protest by a policeman.  She was frequently imprisoned
 and underwent hunger strikes and forcible feeding. IMAGE: TOPICAL PRESS AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES


Women are you listening?
Men are trying to grind
the wheels of progress into rewind.

Your sister suffragettes didn’t
fight a war so apathy could trend
higher than a Kardashian’s
noxious penchant for baring skin. 

Women are you listening?
Your womb is on the ballot
and even rape won’t pass
the Bible test.

Your sister feminists didn’t
fight a war so your body
could be bait on sound bites
that know which ponds to fish.

Women are you listening?
Silence has a loud voice.
Women of history didn’t stand up
so you could sit down and allow
their progress to be ground into rewind.

©Susie Clevenger 2016

Day 8  NaPoWriMo 2016

Real Toads ~ In The Footsteps Of The Suffragettes

Comments

Myrna R. said…
I like this call to awakening. Yes, we must listen and never forget.
April 8, 2016 at 12:52 PM
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Oh, wow. Perfection! "Women, are you listening? Your womb is on the ballot." And isnt it ASTONISHING, some of the things we are hearing men pontificate about, on the podium? you'd think we had shot back fifty or a hundred years. Please, women - VOTE! It is our duty as well as our best hope for sanity in government. Sleepless in Canada!
April 8, 2016 at 1:17 PM
Kerry O'Connor said…
This is the kind of message which should be echoing around the world right now. So much that was fought for and gained in the 20th century is slipping away from us in hedonism, fascism, extremism and women are allowing themselves to be objectified again. Are we our own worst enemy after all? I agree with Sherry - time to take a stand and make the sacrifice of others count.
April 8, 2016 at 2:54 PM
Sanaa Rizvi said…
"Women are you listening.."

Such a strong and passionate battle cry..!!
Beautifully penned.

Lots of love,
Sanaa
April 8, 2016 at 3:32 PM
Elleced said…
A wonderful wake up call, Susie, women sometimes stand to stand on small gains and forget the endgame, which is equality for all, not just women, but all. Thanks for your message,,
April 8, 2016 at 4:54 PM
De Jackson said…
This is a fabulous call to arms. I like this, especially:
"Your sister suffragettes didn’t
fight a war so apathy could trend
higher than a Kardashian’s
noxious penchant for baring skin."
April 8, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Right on!
April 8, 2016 at 6:02 PM
Debi Swim said…
"Silence has a loud voice." Boy is that true.
April 8, 2016 at 6:29 PM
Fireblossom said…
Yep. There is such a push to undo all that was suffered and bled for, like women's rights and labor unions and so forth.
April 8, 2016 at 7:27 PM
Outlawyer said…
I am with you, Susie. Wonderful poem. k.
April 8, 2016 at 8:00 PM
grapeling said…
yes, I don't understand those who fight against their own self-interest... ~
April 8, 2016 at 11:39 PM
Gemma Wiseman said…
Love the whole confronting, challenging poem. The 3rd and last stanzas strike home with measured aim.
April 9, 2016 at 4:27 AM
brudberg said…
Oh that silence.. Is it just another version of Bread and Circuses tailored for women? I'm with you on this
April 9, 2016 at 6:37 AM
carol l mckenna said…
Great post and photo ~ You go girl ~ Spot on!

Happy Weekend to you, ^_^
April 9, 2016 at 11:20 AM
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