"... we can't keep sticking together women who have been broken into little pieces. Fighting back is as close to healing as we are going to come."
Andrea Dworkin (1997) 'Life and Death'.

I remember you...

when you have no choice, no voice, no rights, no existence
when you have no laughs, no joy, no freedom, no resistance
your pain, your agony, your silence, your loneliness
your anger, your frustration, your cries, your unhappiness

I remember you...

when you are abused, attacked, beaten and veiled
when you are tortured, strangled, choked and almost killed
you feel numbness, nothingness, lifelessness and tears
your are a shadow, a ghost, a creature with many fears

I remember you...

when you in the darkness, stillness of a star-less night
lift your arms to the sky, with sadness and fright
and ask the universe with eyes full of tears and pain
why all these crimes? for what reason? can anyone explain?

I remember you...

when you finally will rise and stand on your feet!
and say " No! I will not stand for anymore defeat!"
you will break the chains, burn the veil and destroy the walls!
you will scream with all your might "Damn you all!"

I remember you...

when you take the solemn oath that you will struggle, resist and fight
that you will gain your freedom with all your mightbr> that you will never give up, no matter how heavy the cost
never again will you be confused, pitiful and lost

I remember you...

when you gain your rights, reach your goals and hope(s)
but the path is hard, full of obstacles, you must learn how to cope
to cope while struggling for your ultimate goal
a-reborn woman, free, independent and whole

I AM ENTOMBED ALIVE

Think of what it's like, to be entombed alive
Darkness, abyss, no sight, how can I survive?
Coldness, fear and hunger, cannot cry or scream
Torment with no end, is this an awful dream?
Think of what its like, to face the saddest plight
Because of your gender, you cannot see the light
They made you non-being, shrouded and unseen
In causing pain and torture, they are very keen
Think of what it's like when enemy in rage
Burn all source of knowledge, every book, every page
Enforce their edicts, which are cruel and baseless
If you defy orders, they kill or beat you senseless
Think of what it's like, when home becomes a jail
No one's there to help, why did the world fail?
Dying yet alive, can't move, can't speak
Loosing all strength, I have become too weak
Think of what it's like when soldiers come at night?
Burning all the homes, set fertile land alight
Wasting lives at whim, shooting live stock
Ruining what is left, even the oldest dog
Think of what it's like, to lose in one night
Most everyone you know, and everything in sight
Dead are young and old, as are all the men
They took women by force, we never see again
Think of what it's like, to be beaten with chain?
Hit hard with a whip, time after time again
Be raped by militia, while some of them look
Wailing, cries of pain, bodies hang on hook
Think of what it's like, when you are enslaved
Waiting on a death row, you are enclaved
Used for sex and service, then sold in a market
When master's not pleased, you are just a target
Think of what it's like when you become accused
Adultery or theft, fake evidence is used
Stoned to death for first, lose limbs for the late
No judge, defense or jury, such is your fate
Think of what it's like, when you cannot go far
For two decades or more, you are the pawn of war
You are attacked and raped, when one faction win
They get way with all, not punished for their sin
Think of what it's like, when hope is not in sight
You think about death, you do not want to fight
You are down on knees, no one will assist
When you attempt to rise, pushed down by a fist
Is there such a system, that's called United Nations?
Did they promise safeguard in many declarations?
What is the UN talk, about human right?
Does it belong to all, or only those with might?
I call upon you all, my sisters in the world
Join me, resist with me, be strong and bold
I do depend on you; you must become my voice
I must gain my rights; I must have my choice

March 8, 2000