inheritance

used, endlessly used
for our bodies
childrearing
money
what isn't given, is taken
manipulated
gaslit
we are kept on shelves, for display only
ignored until needed
we are attacked
even as children
our whole lives
we fight, survive, die inside
we die bleeding tears of rage
some
trusting the hand that killed us
and, no matter how we try to protect them
we watch it happen to our daughters too
every girl born will carry
the weight
and the worry
and the wrath
of the women who came before