try

i dare you

try
juggling work, school, family, friends,
your feelings, your thoughts, your fears,
your hopes, your dreams,
and everyone's 2 cents
about who you are, what you look like,
what you think, what you feel, what and who
you should be, and always who still is better than
you.

try
understanding the physical, mental, emotional,
psychological pain, drain, slain that comes with being
a woman in this world, then

try
feeling the anger, disbelief, disappointment, disrespect,
that feeds the fire
that burns
the silent indifference, hate, injustice, oppression, depression,
that must change.

try
speaking, shouting, stating, standing, challenging,
being, leading, feeling, seeing, acknowledging,
empowering, supporting, dreaming, validating,
wishing, acting, educating, connecting, believing
in the possibilities
of justice
peace
love
hope
and truth.

i dare you,
to not give up.