Rights

1971
I am twentyish
Getting ready to
Give a midterm test
To an auditorium of
Restless students
When one coed
Asks me what
I am doing to
Help the
Women’s rights
Movement? I ask her
Why she would think I’m
In favor of women’s rights?
She stares at me as the
Young man she has
Been arguing and
Flirting with grins
Then I say I’m
Not for men’s
Rights either.
I’m for human rights
Irregardless of any other
Categorization and she
Smiles and the young
Man looks puzzled
And we move into
The future one
Epiphany at
A time to
This
Very minute
Poised between
A better future and
An evangelical
Republican
Return to
Coat
Hanger
Abortions
But no coeds
Just mothers kids
And a handmaid’s tale.