Shame is a Woman

Shame is a Woman

A Poem by Vee
"

female rage is powerful

"
Shame is a woman.
Makes it easier for them to look down on 
her. 
You. 
Us. 
They watch her make decisions 
and then they 
shame 
her for it. 

Don't cut your hair, it makes you look 
like a boy. Shame.
Don't wear makeup, only 
s***s do that. Shame.
Don't wear short skirts, 
you're asking for it. Shame.
Don't do this because 
other women we can't control 
do this 
and we want them to feel bad for 
feeling good.
Shame. Shame. Shame. 

You know, 
it doesn't actually matter what 
a woman does.
They'll find a way to shame her for it anyway. 
Oh, you're having a baby �" aren't you only eighteen? 
Shame.
Oh, you're getting rid of it? Isn't that, like,
murder?
Shame. 
You can't conceive? Not a real woman. 
You don't want to conceive? But that's your womanly duty.
You only have one? No, have more.
You have many? No, have less. 
Shame. Shame. Shame.

They say keep your legs shut. 
W***e.
Shame.
They find out you're a virgin. 
Prude.
Shame. 
You're being too loud. 
Disturbing. 
Shame. 
You're being too quiet. 
Mousy. 
Shame. 
You're standing up for yourself.
B***h. B***h. B***h. 
Shame! 

They look at 
anyone
who presents as 
female
and makes them feel 
shame. 

Shame is a woman.
A weapon.
A warrior.
They wield her, 
against you,
because she will always win.
They pit women against women,
because someone has to lose,
and what do they love to see more than a
woman losing?
Probably, like, porn, right? 
Oh wait, you're a porn star?
Shame.

But here's the thing.
Once you learn to become shameless, 
they lose their power over you,
their weapon.
Their warrior.
Their shame.
Escape the trap, 
the knives sticking through the box,
the cage with no key in the lock.
Escape, and lose that
shame. 
Become shameless.
Breathe. 
Live.

© 2023 Vee


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ale
my fav poem of yours so far!

Posted 10 Months Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Vee

10 Months Ago

thank you!

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Added on November 6, 2023
Last Updated on November 6, 2023
Tags: feminism, call out, poetry, slam, patriarchy

Author

Vee
Vee

Scotland, United Kingdom



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