Impulses

We seek to understand
The impulses that drive us

Womanly traits
Not always weak or servile
Male traits
Not always discordant or violence-driven

Girls use their wiles
Women gain position with their strength
Girls beguile, their femininity a tool
Women wear it with pride
Girls belittle men
Women respect men to begin again
Girls submit to male abuse
Women stand against it
Girls hold onto the fairy tale
Women know when to let go of the child

Boys posture their masculinity
Men exemplify masculinity with honour
Boys don't show feelings
Men do
Boys use their fists
Men protect
Boys don the cover of power
Men wear it to shape a better world

Bubble Garden

In this vast rolling country
We take pleasure in the park 
at the edge of our city
We watch our sunsets
where colours mingle in the winding garden
And the antics of people amuse
In the bubble garden

In this garden I am one

What great force singled me to be here?
Sheltered
Out of harm's way
Out of war and famine's way
Out of dictatorship's way
Out of terrorism's path
Free
It's so good to be!
Simply be!

Will the bubble burst?