The boy between us inflames our faces

And fuels the feud in this decade long fight

It’s been a war alright, and it’s not over yet.

 

In fact, it began before the boy was between us.

I would not be trained in your regime

Nor tamed with pretty leather treats

Or meet your guidelines of what a woman should be

Don’t speak. Don’t learn. Don’t answer back.

Don’t you dare defy me!

During those years, to your annoyance,

All those orders fell on deafened ears

I’ve heard it all before

Just spat at me in a different tongue, a viler voice

But then, before, when I had no choice, no means of defence

I stored it all up, ready for the likes of you.

You don’t understand, this small iron and immovable frame

Was forged by far worse than you

See, long ago I was trained from a pup

Tethered to far worse than you

Do you hear me? Far worse than you.

Given music in exchange for silence

Given bruises to gain compliance

And when I say tethered, I mean tied,

And when I say tied, I mean bound and gagged.

And for all they trying and all the times

My leader led the way and yanked me back

Tired and trapped by the hand that held the leather strap

But that hand was stronger than yours

 

Then freedom came and began my reign of defiance

No more choked cries,

pillow-covered eyes

No more dead I

Do you hear me?

You will be fought to you death,

not mine.