Dedication To Sojourner Truth: Ain't I A Woman Poem by Mark Heathcote

Truth be told, I am strong
I am not just a cook or a sower
I am willing to share this earth equally
I am ready to bear arms for what's right
I'll-pull-a-plough-like-an-ox-to feeds-my-soul
and my brother and my sister
and 'Ain't I a Woman.'

Look, ain't I given birth to bigger ideologies?
then to talk lazily about economics or politics
there is too much idealism without substance
truth be told, I am bored of all your empty promises
look at me I have fed and raised a child to be a man
and he has bowed his head to me as his mother
but 'Ain't I a Woman.'

Ain't I felt the suffering of a mule
with the weight of the world on its shoulders
ain't-I-picked the locks of hearts black as thunder?
And made them laugh-cry-teary-eyed
ain't I gathered the stars and placed them in your arms
and all I ask for is to be your equal.
No, ain't your duplicate darling
I don't even want to be your world.

I'm a woman who wants only to be heard-
I sell the shadow to support the substance
I peddle my photo so it can live on your shelf
but that's not what I'm about
I'm about to try pricking the lock your conscience
to all manner of unjust abnormal anomalies
I have only the good scruples I was born with
No, I ain't your duplicate darling
'I am stronger - I am a Woman.' That's my way of living.