I became a woman some time ago when we thought nothing of it, were thought little of, when snide, when put down, when hands.
Which still are.
I became a woman after Kinder, Küche, Kirche and in the midst of barefoot and pregnant.
Which I was.
I became a woman when honey, when bitch, when slut but I became a woman after toots.
Which never fit.
I became a woman when monthly blood was called the curse but was a blessing in a time when coat hangers, scalding baths and horseback riding.
Which were our cures.
I became a woman before Friedan and telling our stories before Time’s Man of the Year was one at the beginning when prone and step back and passed over.
Which are still around.
I became a woman in a time when Legislatures ruled against women, a time that nevertheless masqueraded as a new beginning. I have lived long enough.
To see my state legislate a new yesterday, today.
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Wendy Taylor Carlisle is the author of three books of poetry and five chapbooks.
Photo by Renata Fraga.
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