Back in September we ran a series of trans-inclusive workshops specifically for our female and non binary Members. Participants were asked to produce pieces of creative writing during the workshops which we are sharing, with permission, to celebrate International Women’s Day. The workshops were illustrated by Jazz.
More writing from the workshops will be published throughout the week.
The second stage of this workshop series is starting again next week. Places are fully subscribed but you can find out more about them in the What’s On section.
Rise Women Rise by Jill Power
Thy husband is they lord, thy life, they keeper, thy head, thy sovereign, one that cares for thee……
……And craves no other tribute at thy hands…. but love, fair looks and true obedience….
Too little payment for so great a debt.
Such duty as the subject owes the prince… a woman oweth to her husband.
And when she is froward, peevish, sullen, sour and not obedient to his honest will,
what is she but a foul contending rebel and graceless traitor to her loving lord. (The Taming of the Shrew)
I THINK NOT
COM WOMEN
RISE
WOMEN RISE
Shake of thee shackles, thee ball and chain
Denounce bondage, obedience and own only duty to thyself.
Unbow thee heads, raise thee eyes
Take a stand, take pride, strike
find thee belittled voice
RISE WOMEN RISE
Women we have been sold a terrible tale,
An unwritten contract from once time began
Our assets, our freedoms controlled, transferred to thy house of The Father,
Thee are classed no more than chattel, thy loyal underdog
property of thy father, thy uncles, thy husbands, thy brothers, thy sons
RISE WOMEN RISE
Women our unbroken hymens are bartered for territory and wealth
Thee belong to thy man, thee keep home, thee be good,
Thy be tamed, well mannered and obey thy commands
Thy only worth subordination and procreation
Thee nothing more than a vessel for thy next generation
RISE WOMEN RISE
Women in times of war what are we but the spoils of war
Our bodies become extensions of the battle field
Seized and conquered as territory for thy next victors
Thee be a commodity, thy object to be traded and passed around
Thee be ready, thee be pinned down for consumption.
RISE WOMEN RISE
Women we are owed a vast debt
Thy be no grace unless thee admitted to thee public space
we must rise and take thy platform on thy centre stage
our brothers have failed us, too long we have bowed
we must fight to take back what is rightfully ours and owed to us.
RISE WOMEN RISE
Women rise up. Can you feel the revolution coming?
Can you hear the rally cry, the clamour, the excitement in the air
Feel the tap and the stomp of our feet grounding us on earth
Feel the snare of the drums – pulsating, vibrating around our arteries and nerves.
Can you feel your heart beat repeating the rhythms?
RISE WOMEN RISE
Women you are alive.
You are energised.
The adrenaline is flowing
Com gather, mobilise, rebel, revolt
You are Free. Take your place
RISE WOMEN RISE
