I am Woman

Bibeth Orteza
By Bibeth Orteza

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I am woman.
My menses borne before
sanitary napkins and tampons.

I am woman.
A breast cancer survivor
close to eighteen years now.

I am woman.
Daughter of a feisty Waray
who taught me how to fight.

I am woman.
Daughter-in-law of a warrior for
Filipino music and freedom of expression.

I am woman.
Married to a man faithful and progressive,
he didn’t marry me for my breasts.

I am woman.
Proud and militant,
no way I take shit.

I am woman.
You should be, too.

International Women’s Day
March 8, 2022

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