the women beyond

your sight only extends so far
when you look at us
you see a shimmering canopy of stars
you don’t bother glimpsing deeper
to see galaxies colliding
spinning and spreading wings
deconstructing and reinventing
on a colossal landscape

your mythology only repeats tropes
calypso tempting your senses
manic pixie dream girls
imbuing your life with meaning
but we’re more than disposable damsels
evolved beyond femme fatale
we’re our own muses
threading light and dark within

your touch only grazes skin
grasping and groping
what you believe to be yours
thinking you have more of a right
to our bodies than us
but we won’t shrink in our seat
won’t let apologies fall from our lips
we won’t wait for you to see our worth