a lament:

I am… every woman disrespected by football culture
And every woman dreading hero as predatory vulture

I am… every woman wed to a player devoid of trust
And every woman pained by - shared acts of disgust

I am…every woman’s son paying attention to the sport
And every woman conscious of his lessons being taught

I am… every sister, daughter, mother, lover, fan - abused
Questioning re/actions of men - amongst those accused

I am asking…

How can these staged acts of gender violence
Remain hidden behind figured codes of silence?

Whilst the victim suffers being - a downgraded soul
Hurt by heroes high and performing - out of control

I am…every woman forced to feel the horror of rape
And every woman - not fortunate enough to escape

I am…every woman battered through - sexual assault
And every woman later to learn - it is ALWAYS her fault

I am…every woman slighted in changing room chatter
And every woman treated equally as disposable matter

I am…every woman under a wing of patriarchy’s truth
And every woman framed by mateship of the uncouth.



Copyright©Lili Tuwai 2007 

No part of this poem can be reproduced
without the permission of Lili Tuwai or Vusa Wai Tui Publishing