Bag

I am 22, an undergraduate
Living in student married housing
With my wife and three sons as
I struggle to complete all my
Classes and go on for post
Graduate studies, but first
I must buy used books
For my classes at the
Coop textbook store
Where I am told I
Must check my
Book bag of
School stuff
To which
I ask if
I call
My
Bag a
Purse can
I then take it
Inside since all of the
Coeds are doing so carrying
Their purses inside but
This causes some hot
Heated arguments
Between the staff
Who are amused
And divided
Along
Gender lines
With females
Arguing against
And males for letting
Me call my book bag a
Purse which seems more
Egalitarian, but a lady
Manager walks up
And says, “Let him
Take his purse
Inside,” but I
Check it
Since
The
Fun of
Protest
Fades in
The face of
Bored acquiescence
Making me feel a
Bit foolish even
If many are
Smiling at
A fracas
Over
Gender
Stereotypes,
All part of the
Social revolution
Of the 1960s
In Austin
Texas.