Broken System, Broken Woman

Lie down on the cold wax paper,

Legs open wide.

Metal sticks inserted and moved around.

Check for diseases, for what’s been shared.

If it stings, hold your tongue,

You’ve been taught not to make a sound.

Swallow the blue pill three weeks,

Gulp down the green pill for one.

Make sure there isn’t a baby’s cry.

Be told the pills are forbidden

By men who don’t feel a baby’s body

Rips its way free from yours.

Watch blood stain clean water.

Keel over in pain.

Block your groans with a fist in mouth.

Let slip a sign of frustration.

Be told you don’t have an excuse.

It’s divine punishment, a woman’s role.

Find someone and exchange consent.

Share bodies, pant, desperate for a pleasing scream.

Be found without consent.

Legs ripped wide open.

Cry, breathe hard, and desperate for it to end.

Be told it’s your fault.

Your body, their rules.

Broken system, broken woman.