Power Dome
Women just need to live
inside a geodesic dome
powered by male rage;
the angrier they get
the safer we’ll be,
and it will be delicious
to sit inside
and watch through the glass
and see violence finally
doing some kind of good
We’ll see them
red-faced and raging
bodies shaking, wanting
to tear through our walls
through us
with every snarl
every tightened fist
every stupid bitch
every die and get raped
every just you wait
every you’ll get
what you deserve
our dome will glow brighter
more vibrant
more powerful
than ever before
like us
each dome-blessed morning
we’ll wake and make love
or not
we’ll rise and bathe
or not
luxuriate over breakfasts
of mangoes and cream,
we’ll spend our days
dreaming up new worlds
or drinking coffee
or baking bread
or knitting or climbing
or singing or building
or distilling whiskey
or raising children
or not
we’ll read and write
all manner of things
from logic to legends
from physics to porn
to a brand-new religion
(have you ever tried
reading the Bible
without the parts
written by men?)
at night we’ll unwind
over baby-back ribs
or risotto or salad
or chocolate ganache
and raise our glasses
of ruby red wine
in a toast to today
and tomorrow
and tomorrow
when we will continue
to work, to laugh
to care for each other
and ourselves,
all the while
watching them outside
or not
and wondering
what could have sparked
such all-consuming rage
did it really begin
the moment we asked
for respect
a voice
a little air
to breathe?
do those out there
ever contemplate
how long it will take
for this rage to incinerate
them? will it always control them?
will they only continue
to fortify our dome
screaming it phosphorescent
raging it incandescent
punching holes in the darkness
making it hum
with domelight?
we don’t know
we can only give thanks
for the fury they hurl
at our luminous dome
our radiant home
their violence resplendent
fortifying our walls
and our resolve
to support one another
for as long as it takes
until their anger subsides
we’ll thrive
***
Rumpus original logo art by Luna Adler
***
ENOUGH is a Rumpus original series devoted to creating a dedicated space for work by women, trans, and nonbinary people who engage with rape culture, sexual assault, and domestic violence. We believe that while this subject matter is especially timely now, it is also timeless. We want to make sure that this conversation doesn’t stop—not until our laws and societal norms reflect real change.
Many names appearing in these stories have been changed.
Visit the archives here.
