Facing the Sea of Inequity

A Poem

Since an oceanic existence he’s always set the scene in all his glory he ebbs and flows for entire worlds to see//strength — passion — masculinity//desire froths on display//pounding seamless shorelines his well-earned victory day to day — dusk to dawn blue business in white suit he spills forth//strength never challenged for nothing dares to stand against his manly force

But wait I hear a voice so sweet bring a melodic ‘g’day’ — hello Mr Ocean she hypnotizes sings and sways//curving holy gated hips upon cliff face taunting breeze/momentary holds a breath sacrificial roasting waiting to catch her scream — ‘mercy mercy’!

I say hello — hello Mr Ocean//wood calls/ knot on/defending in her stance — I’ve come to forever join you //make me some serious cash!

Frothing at the mouth//he charges/a wounded bull you’re not welcome to ride my waves — presence not wanted no space for you to claim//frailty you are//so defense less in your frame — tiny structure what can you manage? you’re such a space curvy dame

Tsunamic male pride he froths a sea o’ fury/ crimson red /she stands//fearless//calm beside steel face cliff’s eroding edge — stares down her angry ‘boss’ does not budge nor give a toss//she stands her ground//smiling she throws a cheery wave//no matter she states a simple fact I’ve come to do my job// you’ll just have to cut your ‘loss’// over again he charges underestimating organic force — an intricate girth within her holy frame

Time however is on her side//in time tide turns he’s exhausted//not defeated as she stands erect to claim her victory birth//slowly respect shimmers glimmer darts — plays on water’s edge//eroding his charge his stance — still ancient memories pull back on tides of evolution — from a raging sea fencing for life’s equity

This piece is written from my own biased lens, being a woman in the workplace in the year 2017. Written with love for any person, regardless of gender identity, who feel they are ‘taking up space’ in any environment. An opportunity arises — a chance for self reflection: Are there any hidden biases or gender pay gaps in your workplace that can be addressed or perhaps the tide has indeed turned?

Jaylee Reign, ©, 2021

(prose reinvented and given new life from 2017)

A call out to Bob Metivier, for the sharing of a synchronous moment and for also inspiring me to submit this work after reading his poetic works: The Old Wooden Fence…It has attained the end forever yearned