Women judging women..

It is time that I confess

And ask for forgiveness

For having judged not infrequently

Other women by standards of patriarchy

I shout from the rooftops that I believe

In equality for women, that I perceive

Women to be no less than men

I thought I sincerely believed it… but then

I am guilty as charged, as I said

Of criticizing women for their choices, instead

Of standing by them, because no matter what I say

The voice of patriarchy instilled in me, even to this day

Raises its ugly head and makes me complicit

In perpetuating the mold in which women have to fit

That makes me a hypocritical feminist, I’m aware

I must erase my deep-seated beliefs if I care..