We All Have Work to Do

What? 

Did you expect me to tell you I never had a gaze?

Did you want me to lie and say there has never been a shadow cast by the construction of the sword? Did you want me to say that my light could never be covered? Did you expect me to say that this cloud is not inside me?

Even with all the witnesses candle light we still haven’t taken back the night.

Did you want me to say that the headlines never affected my line of sight? 

That it was unmoved because it was already in the right place? 

Did you want me to see through the portrayals on the screen- right away?

Did you expect me to know without having learned?

Did you expect me to be free from the patriarchy?

No, it was ingrained in me. 

I’m sorry friend, but I ate it between every meal

For my whole life. 

Like stained wood, it must be scraped off

Layer by layer.

Did you want me to silence myself

Before I said we all have work to do?

I’ll be the first to admit I do

And it’s not close to fair-

But so do you.