Anger is the natural response to injustice.
            Margaret O’Connor, PhD

Luminous women suffer rejection
of revolution as they challenge  
fathers, husbands, male bosses, 
patriarchal law firm partners
and military officers attuned to domination.    

Courageous women refuse 
marching orders for rows and columns,  
eject “obey” from marriage vows, 
willingly witness and declare  identity.   

So alive, women assault 
gauntlets of authority, tabus and mores, 
ignore pointless rules and ludicrous legislation,
create bedlam among expectations.   
Refuse consent. Broadcast names
of those deaf to our, “No.” 

Authority of “we’ve always done it this way”
sentences us to wailing our grievances at mirrors,  
shrieking in echo chambers.  Ghosts,
we serve on the stairs of time for crimes
of audacious behavior and wonder. —

What’s to be done? 

Increase the volume of our keening. 
Sequester silence; it doesn’t belong.  
Take to the streets bearing pieces
of Amazon cardboard sharpied with wisdom.
Don inflateables, show up at ballot boxes. 
Create new routes. 

We do not deserve anonymity.