this is my body - carol lee sanchez

[Lawrence Robinson]

this is my body

this is my body
to have and to hold-
to infect   pollute   humiliate
wound   cleanse   contaminate
addict                   -or not.

this is my body
to have and to hold-
to fatten   reduce   girdle
show off   hide   pamper
batter   -or deny

this is my hair
to cut   to dye   to streak
to bleach   to kink   to straighten
to grow as I please

this is my face 
to stain   to powder   to paint
my nose   my eyes   my lips
my ears   my cheeks   my chin
to scrub   oil   cream   pluck
pierce and shave   to remove
wrinkles and pouches from
or leave to weather and age

these are my breasts
to give and to take away
to nourish my babies by giving
to feed my vanity by not giving
to up lift   or let sag
to enlarge   or remove
they belong to no one 
-but me

this is my body
to have and to hold-
my temple
my domain
to do with as i will
to inhabit or cast aside
if i so choose
my body   my temple
my domain
not ever to be ordered
or disposed of
by church or state
without my knowledge
without my consent

no black robed justice or judge
no white robed pontif or priest
can claim legal or moral right
in true conscience
to dictate the use of my body
by me

you:   fathers  brothers and sons
who unjustly legislate
the use of my womb
then hide behind the law
to subjugate my body
to your will and desire-
you:   threaten my life
every minute of
every day in the
name of your male god and
the ‘preservation of life’
you:   self-righteous rapists
exploiters
and murderers
accuse me of
your crimes!
this is my body

my temple
my domain.

you:   mothers   sisters and daughters
who virtuously agree
to give up your bodies to
church and state
beware the sons you birth!
where will you turn
when they bring you
to trial
this is my body
to have and to hold-
to do with
as I will.


	- carol lee sanchez
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