if i had been born with power between my legs with freedom crowning my head
privilege and pride safe in my chest
i might go for a run at night
– alone –
should the laws of the universe have made my chromosomes x y tried to make me believe i could not fly
without daddy or some man standing by
i might like to fall
mess and all – and grow
if i had been permitted to be more superhero and less princess more proud of my sex more loud with my sex
allowed to love my breasts
felt safe in that dress
i think i could have accepted a drink – from a boy i did not know
better yet
if the legs with the power
and heads with freedom
did not hate me and want to rape me humiliate and dominate me call out their fellow ‘men’ ( just maybe )
– i might not feel so alone –
had the world not used my gender as an insult as a way to mock and belittle and repulse there might never have been reason to revolt
reason to kneel and cry rise up and fight
hold vigil by night
– hold my sisters tight –
if i had been born with power between my legs with freedom crowning my head
privilege and pride safe in my chest
fear not noosed round my neck
i think i might revel in being a womxn once more