In an era of oppression towards women
Where having strong opinions and ideas
To better their lives with opportunities
For education in 3rd world countries and finally set them free
Yet girls still often ridiculed from early childhood
To know your station in the heirarchy
Of centuries of service to children and the ruling patriarchy
Rarely encouraged laughed and frowned upon
Should they express their own needs above their children and spouses
Never allowing to be fully liberated
To show their intelligence and skills
Bringing to society a maternal overview
Fairer and more benevolent
Yet through biology still mothers in domestic slavery
Or put to work in factories or in the countryside the mills
Who had to wear constricting corsets and petticoat frills
That tethered their bodies to be chaste and nice
Stepping outside that realm they paid a heavy price!
Within suppression burgeoned the suffragettes and suffragists
Whom together armed themselves with goals
To give women the vote a sense of power and freedom
So that women's lot could change
Stopping the perpetuating patriarchal
Bells of obedience that rang out loudly and tolled
Never previously felt outside of paternal needs and desires
Anarchy and rebellion erupted like a volcano,
Bubbling under the pressure of centuries
Of female violence, violation and oppression
One young woman name Emily Davison
Of lowly beginnings felt the urge
To depart from the comfort of her mother's love and her Northern town
Down to London she was bound to support this rebel cause
To fight for the freedom to be who they longed and wanted to be
To join the male population in their long held privileged
position in every aspect of life
And finally to even up the gender score
Emily so impassioned she tried to place a suffragette rosette
On a horse competing in the Derby
Yet she missed her mark the horse galloping too fast
Knocked her heavily off her feet
Within days she was no longer with us
Bequeathed to a spiritual life
Her body in the committed to the ground
We must remember Emily and all that her young years achieved
As she left a legacy for all girls and women
To be as passionate about their rights and needs
Although many freedom's now gained
There are still many to attain
So we must forge ahead with the legacy the Suffragettes began
Carry on fighting for our rights and commit to working as passionately
At this valiant imperative fair long fought and waited for
Equality for all women's rights
Until we are granted the rewards of this still gargantuan quest
Copyright Natasha Anne Kelleher October 2018 All Rights Reserved
Photograph No copyright infringement intended
