Oughta Be A Woman

By June Jordan

Washing the floors to send you to college
Staying at home so you can feel safe
What do you think is the soul of her knowledge
What do you think makes her feel safe

Biting her lips and lowering her eyes
To make sure there’s food on the table
What do you think would be her surprise
If the world was as willing as she’s able.

Hugging herself in an old kitchen chair
She listens to you r hurt and your rage
What do you think she knows of despair
What is the aching of age.

The fathers, the children, the brothers
Turn to her and everybody white turns to her
What about turning around
Alone in the everyday light

There oughta be a woman can break
Down, sit down, break down, sit down
Like everybofy else call it wuits on Mondays
Blues on Tuesday, sleep until Sunday
Down, sit does, break down, sit down.

A way outta no way is flesh onto flesh
Courage that cries out of night
A way outta no way is slesh outta flesh
Bravery kept outta no way is to much to ask
Too much of a task for any one woman.