Uh-Oh. Poetry.

i learned to be a girl child
at the knees
of women
brutalized
made harsh and distant
generation after generation
each one more filled
with self loathing
by their mothers before them
in a world made
foreign
heartless
frightening
by their own fear
i learned to be a woman
at the fists of men
brutal
harsh and distant
hate filled
made violent
generation after generation
by their fathers before them
in a world made for
conquering
dominating
terrorizing
and now i am an alien
unprepared for adulthood
personhood
womanhood
in a world made for
affection
compassion
tenderness
pain and fear i understand
learned through the blood of foremothers
the violence of forefathers
i do not question hurt
it is love i dread