In Defense of Other Women

She is tired
more tired than you can imagine
unless you are a good man
though those are few on the ground

She is tired of being told
she is too loud, too sad, too angry
outworn from seeing herself
too fat, too thin, too pale, too dark

Always too much or not enough
the date who talks over her
the family friend who runs his
unwelcome hand along her thigh

Exhausted from the job she seeks
to care for herself, her children
but I'm sorry we can't hire you
because we don't want a woman

She is tired of disappointment
chasing down hope
and telling herself she will find a way
if she never gets what she needs