Women to Men
By Miriam Allen De Ford
(In “The Woman Voter.”)
We are they that wept at Babylon,
And still are they that weep;
We have watched the cradles of the world,
And hushed its sick to sleep;
We have served your folly and desire,
And drunk your cruel will;
You have smiled on us with far content:—
Are you smiling still?
We were slaves most fit for Solomon,
That now can call you kin;
It was strength of soul and many years
That changed us so within;
The strength of those you killed with scorn,
The years you could not kill;
Steep were the stairs to climb and hard:—
Are you smiling still?
We have shared your salt of loyalty,
And eaten of its bread;
We have died with you for Freedom’s sake,
And gained it, being dead:
You have drawn from out our breasts your life,
The life you use so ill:
We are they that bore you in the night:—
Are you smiling still?