What {white} women my age are called
Jennifer, more often than not.
Beth or Liz (but not Betty)
Kristi, Christie, or Kristy
Kristi, Christie, or Kristy
Some Lauras, some Lesleys, some Michelles
We’re at the tail end of Sharon, Debbie, and Karen
And the cutting edge of Melissa, Melinda, and Melanie,
(Our moms are Shirleys and Carolyns, Marys and Jeans)
In high school we were sluts, prudes, or cock-teases. No other options.
Later we were called bitches if we expected to be treated like adults
Or ambitious by people who didn’t use words like bitch
(but meant it anyway)
Now we’re middle aged, and nobody calls us much of anything
Besides Ma’am.
Some of us answer to Mom, Mommy, Mama, Mom.
Very few of us to Hey Mama, Smile For Me Mama, or Suck My Dick, Mama
And yeah, some of us are Grandma now.
You used to call me pretty girl, and I liked it.
Now you mostly use my name, and I think I like it even better,
At least the way you say it.
I love your poem! Women my age are called Ashley. There are so many Ashleys.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
This poem is powerful! I really love your voice. It's bold and strong.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction