'Howling' by Ravyn LaRue

People tell me
to avoid Feminism
because it will turn me soft
that I'll be broken by the smallest bumps
aching from the tiniest of wounds

They say I'll be reduced to crying all day
crying wolf so that
when allegedly real bigotry happens
no one will believe me
or stand by my side
or rush over to rescue me

People tell me
to avoid Feminism
because it will turn me hard
that I'll be aloof and removed
from caring about the feelings of men
thinking only minorities have souls

They say I'll be reduced to biting all day
biting the hand that feeds me
because I'm allegedly ungrateful
for all that allies have given me
then no one will stand by my side
or rush over to rescue me

But if I am to be reduced
to a sobbing pile of mush
or a writhing snarling beast
at least it is of my own accord

I let myself become this
because I let myself be seen
being my usual
sobbing pile of mush
and writhing snarling beast
which I've always hidden
beneath thick skin
and an even thicker skull