“Autonomy,” is a poem told from a feminine perspective. It moves to demystify what feminism is and what it isn’t.

AUTONOMY

When I talk about feminism,
It is not manly validation that I seek,
But the opposite,

When I talk about the struggles of being a woman,
It is not empathy that should cement it,
But the contrary,

I am and will always be,
Woman,
Before I am anything else,

I am not just your sister, when you disrespect me,
I am not just your mother, when you demean me,
I am not just your wife, when you claim possession over me,

And all you seem to do,
Is only claim manly empathy,
When the comparisons are made.

I seek autonomy,
Not from you,
But free of you.