Close your eyes

For #iwd2018

Close your eyes and imagine
that I am you and you are me
First I was created
The pièce de résistance
Then came you from my rib
Ever the thorn in my side
It was you who first ate forbidden fruit
You who led me astray
I would never have gone this way
Ever since I have taken charge
I have written you out of history
Ruled controlled and ignored
pontificated stated right from wrong
I have pushed down the weak
and controlled the other – You are other

You lack purpose in life save for me
What use is your existence except
Providing for my every need
Clean clothes and a tidy home
tasty meals and a warm stove
All that you do revolves around me
That is why I have married you
time and again
I do need you though I never show it
For without you I would not be
Could not be brought into this world
You nurture me and
feed me from your breast
Give me all that you have
even when that is less

You get meaning from doting on me
and loving me as you watch me grow
strong tall and so very handsome
Still I am blind to you and fail
to see that I marry you
complete you even –
where complete means to eradicate
one slow day at a time
as you bear my children
and take care of my home
Nothing is yours to own
All that you have was given
begrudgingly or handed down
Even your womb which sets you apart
is imposed on by me and my seed

Preferential treatment for me
occurs from the whole world around
I reap what you sow whereas
you should consider yourself
fortunate to have a plant bestowed
This world is all about me
Take heed – even God is a He
Don’t go about saying She
Your clothes are designed
to be pleasing to my eye
Your hair styled to suit my taste
Your shoes may be impractical
however I find them irresistible
That is all that matters
My taste my desire my life

After years of fuss from you
finally I relent and let you work
Go then and earn your keep
My daily earnings will take you a week
What is the point of equality
There are some things
You simply cannot do
You lack strength or understanding
Fine then give it a go
You won’t last long
Ordination to the priesthood
Our great High priest was just like me
Next you’ll expect the Episcopate
Be my boss – no way
You’ll never be as good as me

So close your eyes another time
you are you but with opened eyes
How did it feel to have no
raison d’être except for me
To be dictated to day after day
and have no control over anything
least of all your own body
For a good wife should
lie with her husband…
What if I too would rather a wife
Someone to care and caress
To give a gentle kiss
to ease my burdens
Would I really choose you if I knew
what devastation would ensue