This poem is something I've been thinking of for a while, but never actually sat down to write until recently. Anyone who knows me knows that I strongly identify as a feminist; to me, there is nothing more empowering than girl-power. It makes my heart full to see other women succeed, thriving in this world that was not built for us to succeed in.
The piece begins with myself, and a future I envision for myself. I thought of other women around me and their experiences and incorporated those into the piece as well. Finally, I end the piece talking about a little girl—my goddaughter, or my cousins, or maybe my own daughter one day.
The Future is Female
The future is female
The future is a strong, independent female
With a degree
And a mortgage in her name,
Not her husband's.
The future is a strong, independent, queer female
Who doesn't bat an eye when she tells people
She likes boys and girls
Because nobody bats an eye at her when she says it.
The future is a strong, independent, queer female
With black skin,
Or brown skin,
Or white skin,
Because in her future, it doesn't make a difference.
The future is a woman who has been through hell and back
At the hands of a man
But despite all odds, she came out on top.
The future is a woman who sits alone in her STEM classes
Because the men in her field ostracize her
For being female
And she knows her work is worth more than their jokes.
The future is a little girl
With big brown eyes and two big brothers
Who will live her life constantly fighting
To be viewed as an individual, and not just
So-and-so's little sister.
She will grow up to become a strong, independent woman
With a degree
And maybe even a mortgage in her name
And she will have the world at her fingertips,
Ready to mend the broken pieces
And protect the people who can't protect themselves
And she will do it
She will do anything she puts her mind to
Because the future is hers.
