Woman
Many men say
They want a strong woman
When what they really want
Is a submissive woman
She is not I
And I am not she
I am rich in my views
With complicated hues
A foliage of
Empathetic rues
No, I will not bow down to you …
Man
A person who was removed
From a womb like mine
Because she is the real force
Hidden in the earth’s emassed blue
Of rhythm of unequal subdue
Composed of particles
Complacent in their ways
Confident in my choice
Rising with the tides of grace
Humility in the folds of my arms
Without will to surrender
To demands given as if
Of ownership
I am captain
I am queen
I am a sea of possibility
–By Kyoko Heshiimu
Kyoko Heshiimu is a poet and artist who has exhibited artwork and performed her poetry through spoken word at various venues throughout New York City since 2007. She self-published four collections of poetry and illustrated/wrote four children’s books. Kyoko’s poetry focuses on global and political issues associated with women’s struggle and the challenges African Americans face daily by living in a society fraught with deep-seated racism.