By Rhiannon Sue Fisk

On the street the other day

Reflecting on a window

I saw a version of myself

One that I used to know

When a man walked by,

Said, “Oh, that girl is gone.

What stands before me now

Is a strong woman.”

I said, “what do you mean?

Is that an insult or a line?

In a world where wisdom won

Means an eye for an eye,

I do not respect words

That flatter while they demean.”

He looked me straight in the eye

Said, “that’s exactly what I mean.”

You’re a Strong Woman

S – T – R – O – N – G

You get your business done

And you don’t need a thing from me

I said, “you are correct,

And you can thank my mom

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Always was her favorite song

And I’ve had enough

Dealings with men to know

When that respect is gone

You let your power go.

It’s been a hundred years

Since they counted our first votes

We got ourselves careers

We got out of them house coats

I walk straight and I walk tall

Knowing my history

And I can walk away

If you undervalue me

I’m a Strong Woman

S – T – R – O – N - G

There’s very little, dear,

I need explained to me.

Just then a girl approached

She looked us up and looked us down

The man, he got a smile,

But me, I got a frown

Women like me,

We wear it on our sleeve

So she sighed and turned

Back around to leave

I regarded the man

Said, “have you seen and heard enough?”

“Can you ‘preciate my ego’s

Feminine and tough?”

He glanced back at the girl

Said, “I learned lessons as a boy.

Some women are for playing

But you are not a toy.

You’re a strong woman

S-T-R-O-N-G”

I looked him straight in the eye

Said, “that’s exactly what I mean

‘S exactly what I mean

‘S exactly what I mean

‘S exactly------------, what I mean.”

NOTES: I wrote “Strong Woman” after a conversation with Annie regarding the reaction women like us get in everyday situations.  With equal rights at a standstill, we’re fairly disgusted by the sexism that’s still so prevalent in many male/female interactions.  I framed the conversation as one between a man and a woman, however, because I don’t blame men & I wanted to portray one who was sensitive to the cause.  Women shouldn’t feel pressure to dumb themselves down to gain the attention of men, just as men shouldn’t have to play the “I’ll take care of this, baby” card to prove their worthiness of ours.  Strong Women live this idea and are simultaneously revered and derided for it.