do you hear that?
the haunting cries for hope,
for understanding, for change,
formed by the mouths of women
from times past and present,
pleas for a different future,
one not built on power and hate,  
one where they’re not told what to do
or told they’re not good enough

do you hear the years of sadness and rage,
for themselves and their peers,
years spent crumbling under the pressure.
do you hear the pleas of the little girl
a girl, set a path she did not want to follow,
but forced to do it anyway

do you hear how tired they are
of being used and ignored,
just wanting to speak and be heard,
a space for growing and healing.
choosing to live, to make a difference
to bring light to the darkness
to provide a way forward for others too