Freedom

freedom.png

Basic freedom was denied 

And daily I cried.

Labeled as the “weaker sex”

Taunted mercilessly. My soul grew vex.

Wretched. Worthless 

An imbecile. Senseless.

They said I wouldn’t become anything of worth

They cursed even the day of my birth.

I staggered around feeling inferior

While my brothers were considered totally superior.

They were sent to school to become educated

While I remained at home, feeling suffocated.

I had to learn to cook, wash, clean and sew

While the “men” were allowed to just get up and go.

I was subservient, considered a fool

My own flesh and blood acted adversarial and cruel.

I was called a clod

A mistake of God.

Salty tears stained my face each night

I was physically incapable of putting up a fight

Forced to accept my fate

I felt my chest well up with venomous hate.

I despised the system of inequity

And having to suffer in obscurity.

Did I not have rights too,

Were the preachers being  false, and untrue?

Created in the Father’s image? What a farce

If so, why was I being treated as Second Class?

Why did men see me as chattel, a worthless thing

Good only when they wanted to have a fling.

Why has my voice been silenced; unceremoniously  put on pause

While my masculine counterparts get to bask in man’s applause.

I've  been relegated to this lowly place

Must I forever dwell in disgrace?

The devil is a liar, he came to deceive and kill

But I refuse to let him squash my ambition and will.


Like a seed planted deep, my roots began to grow

There were so many things my enquiring mind wanted to know.

I watered my curiosity while searching for clarity day and night

Soon I felt empowered and strengthened; ready to put up a fight.

It was the dawn of a brand new day

Fervently, I began to pray.

“Rescue me, Lord. I need You now

Save! Help! deliver me somehow.

I’ve borne untold suffering and pain

There has been no sunshine; only copious showers of rain.

I feel neglected

Rejected

Used

Abused

Victimized

Marginalized.

I’m drowning in sorrow

Will I live to see tomorrow?

Will I always be trodden on

Crushed underfoot. Is this where I belong?

I need to grow, to blossom to bloom

I shall not be confined. Give me more room

I'm innovative

Superbly creative

An analyst 

A scientist

Teacher

Preacher

Psychologist

Agronomist 

Wife, mother, confidant, friend

Mentor, counselor, one on whom others depend.

Don't  put me in a box; I resent confinement 

Give me my wings and let me experience bliss and contentment. 

Let me soar unencumbered to the sky

I want to be free to make choices without being asked, why.

Give me liberty

Set me free...

...Free to be whom I was created to be

...Free to be the best version of me

...Free to use my God-given ability

...Free from constant scrutiny.

Don’t ‘down’ my femininity

LET ME BE FREE!”

Claudette Thompson

I have been living and working in the Bahamas for over thirty years. I am passionate about writing and have recently received the award for Best Veteran Writer in the 2019 Bahamas Poetry Competition.I believe that "To whom much is given, much is required".

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Bra-less