Victoria's Victory 1914 Poem by Terry Collett

The two cops
cornered you
to a park bench
where you sat
puffed out
after the run
(as much as you
could run
in that heavy skirt) .

One cop
takes your wrist
as if you'd resist
after all that.

The other cop
looks at you
pityingly.

Big beefy men
whom once
would not
have looked
at you twice
what with your
dark straight hair
oval face
pale and thin.

One holding
your wrist
says something
about arrest
the other takes out
his handcuffs
and puts them
on your narrow wrists
and heaves you up
on your feet.

Others gather
women mostly
calling names
offering support.

You walk
as dignified
as you can
walking past
the crowd gathered
men jeering
women cheering.

Not to forget
(a voice calls)
you're a suffragette.