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| Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan |
Sanae Takaichi paid
her own way through higher education,
her parents didn’t believe school a worthy
use of change for a girl, even one suited
of big, bigger, the biggest—
reams of dreams,
now, Takaichi holds the country’s highest office,
a prime minister, my word!
yet not yet no, don’t
In traditional fashion, well-fitted, Takaichi spares
no hesitation to infuse wrinkles into hopes
for progress when expressing her limited interest
in spending or spreading a change of suits
for feminist checklists.
not yet no, don’t amen
Dressed in shades of blue
that nicely complement the existing political
climate, Takaichi bows before the men
who surround
the camera’s focused lens,
smile! bow again
dressed on a platform of DNA and policies that ring
familiar tunes, her maiden voyage–an address
rooted in conservative values
a sale? at a discount? who’s first?
a man… amen
Why women don’t need to be first*
- Because they will bow to men regardless of placement.
- Because all boats need sales and sailors, not merchants.
- Because they’ll take their man’s name upon departure.
- Because others have shown it’s a wasted opportunity.
- Because all leaders wear suits of spades and kings.
- Because men will never understand the women’s struggle.
- Because once a maiden, always a maiden in men’s quarters.
- Because maiden voyages require too much maintenance.
- Because all leaders wear pants.
- Because women’s cycles are enough.
- Because blue has always been a man’s color.
- Because women fill in the blanks whenever asked.
- Because finishing is a man’s work.
- Because a woman’s interests always come after those of a man.
- Because it’s a sign of weakness to conclude a sentence with a preposition.
*after “Why We Oppose Pockets for Women” by Alice Duer Miller
