Thus, I emerged

Just a woman

I am just a woman
A mantra I have repeated to myself a countless of times
It has become poisonous on my tongue

I am just a woman
I don't have the brute male strength
Only my tenderness that nobody needs
Except the children I should bare
And the house that needs to be kept clean

I am just a woman
Too clouded by my emotions
Too stupid
Too fragile
Simply a small useless creature
In need of protection
But from who?

I am just a woman
In a world built for and by men
One where I live to abide by their
Gaze
Taste
Rules

I am just a woman
His words against mine
His sword against my pen
His tight grip against my no

I am just a woman
If spoken too much, opinionated
If assertive, a bitch
If sensual, a slut
And if celibate, a prude

I am just a woman
Living in her delusion
Not even the opposite sex
Not even an 'I'
Simply the thing that a man is not

-    Amina