NaPM April 27th 2019

[dukealien]

Her Partner’s Lament


Enid, you are self-possessed: your
body is your own, no other’s
to bestow, withhold, or offer
of its presence or its labor.
Only with consent, yours freely
given, may another task you
with performing what you promised...
which consent you may withdraw.

Bright-eyed Enid, your ideas–
products of your cogitation–
stay your property, no other’s,
like each child that you permitted.
No religion, law or nation
binds you, Enid: they don’t own you;
no, they owe you satisfaction–
love, support, full compensation.

Simple justice, darling Enid,
must confirm your self-possession
since you can’t be slave to any
person other than yourself.
But may others be your slaves if
you permit and they adore you?
Yes, until you want new servants,
Enid, and you change your mind.