By Yvette “Evie” Sandoval

You say Woman
like it is something vulgar.
As if my breasts, my vagina and thighs
are something I should be ashamed of.

And, also
Should have even less rights to
than a stranger.

Woman
As if the word itself offers free admission
To penetrate
To bludgeon.

Woman
To be seen
But unheard.

Well, hear this!

WOMAN is
LOVE
ANGER
MATERNAL
COMPASSION
Also,
LIFE

The bearer of all life…
To be nurtured,
not murdered.
To be protected,
not subjected.

We are the undervalued sex
In a time of progressive thinking
That has regressed under religious zealousness
And unabashedly woman hating fundamentalist
Taking their script from outdated pages
Filled with words of barbarianism and hatred.

Woman

Forced to believe in guilt
And punishment
For all of
Eve’s sins.

Fairy tales running amuck,
Taken for fact.
Well, the fact is,

I am
a Woman
and I
am not
ashamed.

Yvette Sandoval

Yvette Sandoval is a writer and Co-Founder and Partner of Community Publishing. At Community Publishing. Yvette’s specialty is graphic art and editing. Community Publishing is committed to providing a digital platform for local artists of all mediums through the creation of Multimedia Books, while promoting literacy in our community. Community Publishing uses a “ground up” approach which emphasizes an all-encompassing collaborative method.