Free Woman by Kirstin Maguire

I never had to march to get my vote,

Nor read reams of rules on how to behave,

Nor adapt my dress or tone of speech,

The ceiling was glass so I couldn’t see,

It was easy to think of myself as free.

 

Aristotelian view; woman as beauty,

Of men as leaders and women their aide.

Medieval Distortions of Woman as Temptress,

Or even The Hammer of Witches Brigade,

Needed no question, it’s history,

It was easy to think of myself as free.

 

And under the knife seeking beauty,

Or pretty girl he holds on his arm,

The woman painted with make-up and guilt,

Or even, no option of Head of a Church,

Needed no question, they’re just things you see,

It was easy to think of myself as free.

 

Infant girl rates decline year on year,

Or hearing the anguish of FGM,

The marriages forced, or married as child,

Vivid tales of abuse and violence,

Needed no question, they’re not near me,

It was easy to think of myself as free.

 

Then, gap in pay and management roles,

Lack of contract flexibility,

Well finally something impacted me,

Took this to see my humanity,

Needed to question while this impacts any,

Would I ever think of myself as free?