The Modern World

Sadly, inspired by the saga, which Ray Rice has become.

Don't understand

Why your fear

Our gender

As you take out

Your anger upon us.

 

Covering our bodies

In cuts and bruises

Or worse

As you apology

Afterwards.

 

Only to be punished

By "a slap on the wrist"

From the legal system

Or place of work.

 

Saying

They were provoked

By our clothes

Returning a stranger's "hello"

Or expressing ourselves.

 

Does society view us

As nothing more

Than brood mares

To carry on

A family's name

With sons?

 

Thus

Disposal chattel

To be treated anyway

You decide.

 

Whether

To be rape

Beaten

Or killed?

 

And we call ourselves

An advance country

Where equality is

The rule of law.

Author's Note

Originally written, August 7, 2014.