Shallow Pockets

Photo by Mica Asato from Pexels

They give us shallow pockets

sealed shut and just for show.

Our 70 cents fits better

than their dollar anyhow.

Our bags are full and cluttered,

‘You NEED this!’ they will tell,

then call us vain for combing

through pink garbage that they sell.

They tell us grow your hair long

and check the mirror twice,

our Spanx are sausage-casing

but the look is worth the price.

They give us pointy high heels,

impractical and slow.

We lag so far behind,

our power a mere tip toe.

The pockets, bags, and heels,

designed to hold us back.

We fiddle with our hair and clothes

left no time for attack.

But we’ll design new pockets

that fit what we deserve,

with revolution stitched across

the seams that trace our curves.

We’ll bust out of our casing,

our hair and flesh unearthed,

and kick off those stilettos

and march for what we’re worth.