Dedication To Sojourner Truth: Ain't I A Woman Poem by Mark Heathcote

Truth be told, I am strong
I am not just a cook or a sower
I am willing to share this earth equally
I am ready to bear arms for what's right
I'll-pull-a-plough-like-an-ox-to feeds-my-soul
and my brother and my sister
and 'Ain't I a Woman.'

Look, ain't-I-given birth to-bigger-ideologies?
then to talk lazily about economics or politics
there is too much idealism without substance
truth be told, I am bored of all your empty promises
look at me I have fed and raised a child to be a man
and he has bowed his head to me as his mother
but 'Ain't I a Woman.'

Ain't I felt the suffering of a mule
with the weight of the world on its shoulders
ain't-I-picked the locks of hearts black as thunder?
And made them laugh-cry-teary-eyed
ain't I gathered the stars and placed them in your arms
and all I ask for is but to be your equal.
No, ain't your duplicate darling
I don't even want to be your world.

I'm a woman who wants only to be heard-
I sell the shadow to support the substance
I peddle my photo so it can live on your shelf
but that's not what I'm about
I'm about pricking your conscience
to all manner of unjust abnormal anomalies
I have only the good scruples I was born with
No, ain't your duplicate darling
"I am stronger - I am a Woman." That's my way of living.