Gender Strong

With forearms, bicep, metal ringed,

tradition cast in women’s lives;

those hands, a language of their own,

an index, if the tongue not known.

I see a limp, agreeing sign,

another, lips, surprising self,

and other, slipping scarf to face,

the elder, palm spread, stating case.

I think the older lays out jest,

tale at expense of men as kind,

the male as figure, mocked behalf,

consenting, knowing, ribald laugh.

It’s not a matter for the young,

the theme and lingo quite beyond,

but gender strong, not monochrome,

say here what can’t be said at home.

They know the strength in letting think -

their menfolk - have control of things;

but they know better, learned at knee,

inherent power in subtlety.

Their vocab, like the colours, spice,

that masculine, inadequate,

their laud, not masters, any day,

but easier should think that way.