Role Model, by Alarie Tennille

Red and Green, by Lorette C. Luzajic (Canada) 2021. Click image for artist site.

Role Model

I’ve always looked up to her,
sought her advice and used it. 
I couldn’t believe it when she confessed, 
after a glass of wine or two,
that she’s never felt like herself,
not as a unique individual much less 
a success.

I feel like I’m a walking target,
for advertisers, for perverts,
for petty crooks, and even more petty
manipulators – men wanting 
to control my rights, my thoughts,
my job, my body because they can –
when they can’t even control themselves.

Shh! she said, patting my hand.
It’s okay. I’m not going to let them
get away with it.

Alarie Tennille

​Alarie Tennille graduated from the first coed class at the University of Virginia, where she picked up her B.A. in English, Phi Beta Kappa key, and black belt in Feminism. Retired now, Alarie delights in having more time to read, write poetry, and hang out at The Ekphrastic Review. Her latest poetry collection, Three A.M. at the Museum, has joined her earlier books on The Ekphrastic Bookshelf. Please visit her at alariepoet.com.