Corruption

let’s talk about 

this impossible 

and corrupted world

where I am 

one of the condemned 

because of my sex

real alliances 

would mean 

setting your neck 

on the line 

speaking into 

the troubled silences

saying to your wives

it does not matter

that she is a woman 

I am not speaking 

to her flesh

being an object 

presumes 

that I may be moved

according to your will

that I cannot set

myself against 

any who would

cast me down 

and use me

for the least 

of my gifts