The Wall of Oppression

reflects in her eyes—helmet, tactical suit,
load-bearing suspenders, the commanding

authority of riot gear. The rigor before her

thunders with tyranny, supreme austerity

in its power to crush. Walls of oppression have marched for centuries, extended

further, wider, wrangling wombs, abasing
women. Buoyed by the bond of unity,

she faces fear-based thinking head-on,
knowing that harmony is more powerful

than bulletproof vests and short barrel
shotguns.