I am WOMAN

Why should I be ashamed?

I see you standing over there

The wind whips through your hair

Acting like you just don’t care

But baby I’ve been there

And swallowed a truth you just can’t bear.

And it ain’t even fair

The way they treat us all alike

Like we all just black or white

When they have no idea what it’s like

To be caught up in this fight.

Try as I might

I just can’t find the words to speak

And here I am, crying at the feet

Of Blessed Mary — how I weep

GOD, why was we the ones they beat

Our secrets ones we live to keep.

I feel defeat

Why weren’t we the ones who first

Came into being after birth

I’m sick here on the edge I skirt

The truth even though it hurts.

I can’t help feeling like I’m dirt

That I don’t matter in this life

But without me there would be no life

No second generation strife

Because it all begins with my light.

Try as I might

Being a woman’s not the same

To you it’s all a game

Being victim being blamed

I ignore these filthy chains

And want to scream to feel my pain

I am WOMAN — why should I be ashamed?