In this poem I look at the those celebrated male poets who had a vision for a better version of their countries and then move on to Women poets who are the voices for a better humanity. In doing this I hope I have illustrated why women’s words are every bit as important as any man and deserve to be valued as such. I’ve given it the title Fiercely Speaking I hope you enjoy the read.
Fiercely Speaking
Pearse proclaimed his artistic integrity
in early 20th century Ireland
the silence between spaces in his poetry
adding fuel to the nationalist movement he led
for which he would soon be put to death
executed in a show of imperial strengh
by a force unwilling to reason
with anyone they viewed as dissenters
Havel loved his Chezia
seeing it as a beacon of light
between East and West a poet and a playwright
he worked in a brewery
rather than conspire
in doing the work
of those he saw as oppressors
refusing a party card
so many accepted
from Soviet Unionists
when their iron fist ensured
their authority
as the only show in town.
Neruda faced down Uncle Sam
believing Allende would build a better Chile
a country fit for the purpose
of tackling poverty and hunger
not even the stadium of death
would hold his restless spirit
Pinochet ended his life
but never extinguished his dream
of what people could achieve
if only they were given the chance
Burns was a radical pragmatist
as guid Scots had to be
in the days when revolution was confined to other nations
in far distant lands
he couldn’t understand
why we weren’t up for a piece of the action
Presbyterian union flag waving types
had a lot to answer for even then
the bard knew the union limited ambition
and though Scotland wasn’t governed
in the way of a typical colony
he could see his cherished dream of a better humanity
slipping away though the apathy of the kirk
whose privilege was paid for by the bribe
of favoured status
I think it is safe to say poets have always been radical
opponents would call us fanatical
in the way we view the world
we tend not to be jingoistic types
and the establishments in our countries
seldom if ever like us while we’re alive
yet we gain their respect when dead
we seem to become safer when we’re laid to rest
and less of a threat to what they see
as their right to rule
They despise the fact we hate cruelty and challenge conformity
have a different view of what should be considered normality
not based on sexuality or ethnicity
but dignity and respect for all
where equality means women’s words and women’s dreams
have the same value
as any man anywhere in the world
Women and girls need to hear
our voices on stages
see our words on pages
and plays in theatres
which celebrate us for who we are
we should be taught not just of the Brontes
and those the patriarchy deem fit for reading
but of Angelou, Lochhead, Green, and McNish
I want to feel the resistance in struggle songs of Torok
the magic in the folklore of MacFarlane
and the authentic power of Tempest
let’s celebrate female words
living voices from our
time
who speak fiercely in ways that women know
© Gayle Smith 2021
Skirtingroundmylife 