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Sisters(published by down in the dirt, Spring, 2006)
Sisters,
I humbly apologize
for the daggers
who kept you cloaked,
who concealed you
within the walls
of their abode,
making you machines
that produced their sustenance
as well as the
offspring you maintained.
Sisters,
I ask forgiveness
on behalf
of the leaders
who did not seek
your approval
nor your opinions.
They hypocritically powered
the engines of state
as if
the cessation
of your state
was preordained
by destiny.
Sisters,
I repent
for the sweat
in which you bathed
as you toiled
beside those
whose recompense
unfairly dwarfed yours
like a vacant liability,
an annoyingly painful bruise
to be conveniently avoided.
Sisters,
my sisters,
I save my greatest remorse
for every man whose hand
has imbued your skin
into a demonic rainbow,
for every man who
has demanded your submission
in exchange
for his bastard satisfaction.
