Throughout history,
women have taken
pigeon steps,
played ‘What’s the time?’
with Mr Wolf, as if our feet
were bound,
crinolines rigid and tightly laced,
ankles hidden – we knew our place.
Now we have shredded
ribbons, learnt to march
and ride our bikes
burnt bras and held on to property,
paving the way to freedom and equality.
Kim M. Russell, 20th March 2019
My response to Poets United Midweek Motif: Empowerment
Susan is our host this week and she says that she developed the empowerment motif because it’s women’s history month.
We have come far. And have to guard against those who would roll back our rights and freedoms.
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And we know who they are, Sherry.
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There is so much power and determination in this poem, Kim! ❤️ Yes, there is no holding us back! We shall rise!
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Step by step.
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Cliche, pardon me but so apt ‘we have cone a long way’
Happy Wednesday. Thanks for dropping by my blog
Much💛💚😊love
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Thank you, Gillena! Much love to you!
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Love it “paving the way to freedom and equality” in pigeon steps Yes one step at the time but we’ll get three and have come along way 🙂
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🙂
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Pigeon steps! I can imagine them, but I never heard this term before! Thanks to the power we learn that many have gotten away from that foxy guard and constraint.
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Always best to take pigeon steps rather than giant ones – that way we always know where we’re going!
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I love this poem. I think it’s cool.
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Many thanks.
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“Now we have shredded…..” So much of history is hidden in the word ‘Now’. What a long walk it was! Who knew this much courage and resolve would be in those ‘pigeon-steps’. Love this.
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Thank you, Sumana.
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Powerful!
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Thank you!
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And don’t ease up either as I still see examples of male supremacy and preference in so many politicians, employers and even sport. The whole of mankind acts like a stubborn child not wanting to share.
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I love the imagery of this line…”played ‘What’s the time?’
with Mr Wolf..”. Perfect write
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Thanks Viv. That’s what it’s like for some women, forever treading carefully around men.
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So true ☹️
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Knowing one’s place ain’t all it’s cracked up to be! 😉
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🙂
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