Customary Thing

Only women
Sisters,
Never to inherit
Flesh and bone turned to wages
Payment in full for years of labor
It’s the customary thing with women.


A slave to birthing
Good hips on this one
A slave to sex
That one so pretty
Brief reprieve
Thanks to the customary thing with women.


Struggle to rise
Before the grinding foot
Dignity saved only by
The customary thing with women.


Breath of God
Rain of Justice
Fall down
On marriage bearing wealth
Children bestowing status
Treaty becoming safety
Ratified at Gilead
Should be a customary thing for women.