Serious Name Dropping

This was/is my first feminist piece and song... I reference like mad, but I am thrilled with it! It's important to reflect upon feminist figures of the past, and think about where we are today... we owe them much, and I believe we do not have the right to sit on our asses, complacent... watching what they accomplished crumble away... enough preaching. Enjoy.

Mona Lisa’s

Ain’t it progress.

Ain’t it progress, Hester?

Water bras and long-lasting lip wear

That sticks to your lips like a

Burning “A” upon you breast.

We can do it,

Can we do it, Rosie?

World war crutches and white hosiery,

Dismissed with a kiss to the nursery

To raise his armies.

Princess waves through the looking

Glass, pantomime

Stigmata, but it’s just

A Few Small Nips, right,

Sister Cristina?

I’m not here to shut my mouth.

I’m not here to keep your lies.

Cut the catty chatter ladies and

Your alibis.

You’re not here to store

The shame. You’re not here

To seal your eyes. Wake up,

Rise up Mona Lisa’s.

Never compromise.

What about the sisterhood?

Left you My Calling Card (1), Bell.

Romancing the clone with fan mail

‘Til Cosmopolitan claims equality over

The “Rainbow, rainbow, rainbow.”

Crouching on the pedestal,

Back against the glass, anonymous,

Bronze goddess.

Exposed flesh, seizure lights

They gotcha where they

Wantcha, Guerilla Girls

Remind us.

I’m not here to shut my mouth.

I’m not here to keep your lies.

Cut the catty chatter ladies and

Your alibis.

You’re not here to store

The shame. You’re not here

To seal your eyes. Wake up,

Rise up Mona Lisa’s.

Never compromise.

Dear Ms. Carpenter, cut the “Tunic,”

Cut your hair- sing tenacious tenor

Tales of Queen Gorgo’s ruling edict:

Bring Forth "only real men" for us too

Scrape away the wax, anorexic.

Wane no more, Karen- save your breath in

Songs of Iron Jawed Angel licks.

I’m not here to shut my mouth.

I’m not here to keep your lies.

Cut the catty chatter ladies and

Your alibis.

You’re not here to store

The shame. You’re not here

To seal your eyes. Wake up,

Rise up Mona Lisa’s.

Never compromise.

© Copyright 2004-2011 Joanna Brown