I never questioned that fathers knew best,
that husbands were always obeyed,
that God was a man who required that His children
be dutiful, meek and afraid.
I never questioned that women must be
docile and nubile, lovely and slender
and grateful for masculine time and attention
given the female, inferior gender.
I never questioned until almost too late,
till shame was too solid
and hope too ethereal,
till father was dead
and husband divorced
and duty dissolved
and God immaterial.
Linda Stitt
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/woman-in-question/
