I am not a lady, I am a woman

 written to the prompt I am not a lady I am a woman for my local poetry group

I am not a lady, I am a woman

I might wear linen,
drape in lace,
but I am not a lady.
I am a force.

Jeans on, hands full, heart wide,
I run families,
I balance worlds:
physically, emotionally, financially.

I am a force.
Leader. Scientist. Nurse. Teacher.
I shape the world,
sign my life alongside men and women.

I am a force.
I speak truth.
I build, I break, I rise, I run.
I ride life’s wave
fearless and free.

I am a woman.