dear mr. president

fighting patriarchy
uphill
to reaffirm
a new patriarchy,
downhill,
where rights are granted
to destroy equality
waking the dream
to a nightmare

and the men in
their camoflauge
march two-by-two
to destroy the work of women
two-by-four-by-eight (sideways)
and this patriarchy saves all
because that patriarchy kills all

ignoring immolation
squinting against the bright light
of bodies burning,
a feminine holocaust.
we done good here.
we’ve saved lives here.

i’m sorry,
but she’s my sister;
i’m sorry,
but this is your choice:
not ours.

the women will be free.
the women will have rights.

this curse will begin
in society as ours did
where women oppress women
as freedom becomes a curse of insecurity

what a beautiful, beautiful
world where we no longer use the guillotines
to deter.