A Message to Men

 

 

Man must open his eyes to woman

See her completely

Hear her as though her voice was his

She too has strength, she too has feelings

Her voice is as valid

Her grievances as justified

She speaks not only for our mothers

And sisters and daughters

But for the part of us that cares for others

As we should care for her

For millennia too long

We have taken our weaknessess out on her

In our insecurity we have held her down

Because of our want of power

Our fear of sharing it

For Millennia too long

The weakest among us

Have held her down

And forced open her legs

Because our lust overpowers us

Or because we are too afraid of to earn her love

As natured intended

Are we man enough to admit

That we must do better by her

That it is up to us to challenge

Those who see her as nothing more than an object?

It is up to us to protect her power to choose

Who she sleeps with

Who she lets touch her

She is more than a body

She is our graceful companion

She is mighty and wise

And has survived her struggles with pride

Are we brave enough to stand in her light?

Are we man enough to be men

Who want women to be women?

Published by

Troydon

Troydon Wainwright is a philosopher and Reiki Master based in Cape Town. Born with mild cerebral palsy and dyslexia, Toydon learnt to write as a way to overcome the barriers his dyslexia placed in front of him. “I wrote my way out of dyslexia,” said Troydon, “or at least to the point where reading and writing aren’t a problem anymore.” During the day he works as an educational facilitator (someone who helps special needs students cope academically and become more independent). At night he dedicates his time to writing. He has won a Nova award for his short story, The Sangoma’s Storm, and been a feature poet at the Off the Wall poetry readings in Cape Town and at Cape Town Central Library. Three of his poems were also included in the anthology Africa’s Best New Poets. He has also been published in the South African Literary journal, New Contrast. One of his Facebook posts, in which he took a stand against racism, has gone viral (http://www.troydonwainwright.com/when-love-went-viral/).

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