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POETRY
This Birthday
Poetry Playground Writing Prompt #28
I am allowed
To look at my woman’s body,
and see beauty without shame.
My body is not ugly or obscene,
it is a wonder, and a miracle.
Well used and well worn,
we have had ups and downs.
It grew and nurtured life,
it was always there, my body.
We have been told before, that
a woman is weak but it is a lie.
It has its own unique strength.
A strength to do what’s needed,
courage to withstand life’s trials.
Patience to nurture and give birth,
love that can move mountains.
I never thought of it as a burden,
until I was told it was a problem.
Our grandmothers, then mothers,
they passed it down to us,
and taught us how to care for it.
But then came the men, and priests.
With their books, rules and laws.
They said it made us impure, unclean,
and we should be ashamed of it.
They said we were lesser, weaker
and that they had the power over us.
