After Hark! The Lark! by Winslow Homer (1882)

shoulder to shoulder against all odds
bringing in the harvest helping with the baby
burning a couple of bras
my students shrug feeding children before
night class leaves little time for sisters

years ago my sisters and I donned our drab suits
trimmed our button up collars with ribbon ties
stepped into the workplace anticipating a gift

women have names I tell them women have voices
don’t read those books about somebody’s wife

my students believe their jobs are a right
question the need for sisters doubt they could
find themselves Atwood’s handmaids tomorrow

be happy she’s somebody’s wife they say
so many of us aren’t wives

in night class to feed their children
to bump against that glass ceiling
too distracted to notice they’re goodwill dependent

don’t trust the giver, I say
secure your right to an equal stance

yet they freely give up their names
want to save their voices can’t do, I tell them
stand with your sisters against all odds