Sisters as we bide our time

serving slop to soldiers

sleeping with men on all sides

piling hair into helmets

that shield our faces

and sisters as we make our way

with the swagger of those

born into privilege

to where the others

swing their swords

in a melee meant to train

or maybe fool themselves

into believing that when faced

with lance or spear or battle ax

they will not soil themselves

faint dead away or throw

their arms up in surrender.