Speak, Woman

I am her.

 I am my mother's advice not follwed
I am the loveliness of all my mistakes and shortcomings
Which led me to the woman I am
 Today

I am the woman
Addicted to the pen
But
Unable to speak

 Silenced by stubborness I conveniently understand to be
Passiveness or
ladylike stoic

 And
can't speak up for myself

 Down the line I fill with words
I have confused politeness with
Not speaking my needs

 Speak up!
Before you become the silence
That surrounds you

 Even silent things speak
Even willows bow to the wind
Even fingers touch
And ears listen

 Mouths were meant to speak

 So open
Not just your heart
But your lips

 Woman with too much heart and too little lip
Is missing a piece of herself
 Is living for other people's sound
And not her own

 So Speak, woman, speak