Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | Lynne Bronstein

Slave Shackles (source: wiki commons)

Damn Your Shackles

  

49 years

During which I was a full human being

And now, it’s over.

When freedom was given us, I was young.

Now I am not in need of the choice.

But if my sisters are not free

Then I am not free.

You may try to throw

A new chain over me.

If I were you, I’d take heed

Of the power of the wrath

An old woman can wield.

There are a thousand ways I know

How to bend the steel.

Your laws can’t touch my body

Or hold down my mind.

Sorry. I learned a lot

During the years I was free.

Your bigotry-forged shackles

Just won’t fit.