"A Day Without Women" - A Poem by Sofía Aguilar

By Sofía Aguilar, WriteGirl Alum

Without us, where would you be?

Without all the women you love, you need

—not just your mother or sister

but your neighbors, your authors, your scholars—

would you survive a day?

For so long we were made

to feel powerless

because you were afraid for us

to feel powerful

and we don’t blame you.

Have you seen us?

Have you heard our quiet walkings

as though tigers in the grass,

our mouths ready to roar?

Here we are (look at us)

not following but leading,

not surviving but thriving,

resilient and soft,

outspoken and tender,

unstoppable and kind.

We can be anything,

we have made history,

we are made of multitudes—

every size and spirit,

color and country

every feeling inside

every expression of life and womanhood.

Our voices have always been as loud,

our bodies as strong,

our hearts the same size as yours.

Have you seen us?

Have you heard?

Are you listening?

Sofía Aguilar, WriteGirl alum