The Reclamation of Anger

I’m not quick to anger

Lately I’ve been made to rage

We may second-guess ourselves

We mustn’t our discomfort

Around men who deploy

Cruelty as candour

Stings as unsolicited ‘advice’

Weaponising entitlement and prurience

Against women who keep them at arm’s length

For good measure                                     

Retaliation rears its ugly head

Hell hath no fury like a man scorned

They itch to show you your place

Because God forbid

You have healthy self-regard

And women

Trained on the politeness manual

For fear of bruising fragile egos

Are punished for basic decency

Let politeness take a hike

You give an inch, they take a mile

Bite off heads instead

When your boundary is violated

To err is human

To respect yourself, divine