The Sky You Were Born Under

Last year I started a book called:
A Writers Book of Days: A Spiritual Companion and Lively Muse for the Writer’s Life – Judy Reeves
It's set up with a writing prompt for each day. I made it through the first month and then quit, because I'm a flake or something. 

Anyway, I thought I would start if up again in February, and in the meantime occasionally give you a taste of what it prompted me to write before I got lazy. Besides, I'm drawing a blank on what to write about today. So here's a bit of poetry. I would say enjoy but that would be arrogant.   

The Sky You Were Born Under (after Joy Harjo)

by Anna Maria Junus

The sky you were born under,

Left you open to abuse,

And to being undervalued,

Because you are a girl.

The sky you were born under,

Told you who you had to be,

And who you had to listen to,

In order to be loved. (But not truly loved.)

The sky you were born under,

Made you wear certain clothes,

And speak a certain way,

So as not to entice men, (but still wanted you to attract them).

The sky you were born under,

Turned you into a sex object,

Yet demanded virginity,

And still expected motherhood.

The sky you were born under,

Cut off your wings,

And restricted your brain,

But, if you can ignore,

All that you were taught to hurt you,

You can grow back your wings,

And unleash your brain.

Then

The sky that you were born under,

Is the sky that you can soar into.