too rough,
the swing of a cupboard
a metal spoon clashes into the sink
“you’re too rough”

too angry,
a protest of silence
patience in the face of berating comments
“you have a lot of anger”

for it is not feminine-
didn’t ya know?
a woman’s desire for justice
must be gentle
delicate, like her tresses in daylight
a woman’s desire for justice
must not be rough
but perhaps, that is what i am

i am not rough, but instead
too sensitive,
too delicate for patriarchy’s heavy hand
overshadowing every part of my life
too gentle for the toxic control
for that, yes, i am
proudly-
much too sensitive.

© chaya s.