Now I Can Smile Poem by Ruby James

I have become an illusion accidentally,
a woman purposefully,
and a believer indefinitely.
The world has turned upside-down.
Maybe I should just enjoy the new angle of a worn down perspective.
And no I am not being optimistic,
And no you need not comment on this.
I am saying it for myself and no other.
I'm with a man I know.
Isn't it sad that I am no safer this way?
For the past few days I have been someone I don't recognize.
I stopped moving aside so they collide,
Constantly and with aggression that has a fabricated purpose.
With cynical faces, sickly demeanors, pompous exhales, & bloated bodies
they walk.
No, they don't walk.
They march.
They march for not greatness but only their own cynical ego.
It is a common beast fed with pride on the perceived faults of others.
So I saunter, I stroll, I glide
gracefully and with strong purpose.
I do not apologize or step aside.
Preparation for these scenes is my birthright.
Identify as a woman and you're force fed from the teat of our societal influences.
Care, Love, Bow, Submit, Rinse & Repeat.
Just by walking I can take back power from these incidents even on auto-pilot.
The mishandling of my sex has made me strong.
The perversion of the desecration of my self by men's hands, minds, and thoughts,
have been pre-programmed into my existence.
I can overcome them on auto-pilot.
They are not used to it.
They are not the minority, nor the shamed.
A scene in actuality so insignificant fully shocks them.
Ruins their day.
So I politely respond of course and
Tell them to smile.