By Chris Tarello
Never was it only for women,
they simply held it too dear–
followed the fervor of the Black Panthers
(said some)
and scared the mice.
Don’t fret, fearful ones;
an owl sat with me
on my favorite bench
and laid it out plain:
“It’s just a movement
for a moral obligation
like those of the past
and the inevitable ones
of the future.
There’s nothing new
in your substrate,
little mice–
the cheese is out here
and your cage door has been open
for some time now.
Chris Tarello is a Southern California writer, currently seeking inspiration on the Central Coast. You can find his critical journalism and more of his poetry at christarello.com or on Medium.
Asymmetric Magazine: Tell us about your contribution.
Chris Tarello: This particular poem is a musing on the current state of feminism and a wake up call to recognize the power of opportunity. I find it unfortunate that the movement suffers from sexualized branding – most men are scared to participate in anything that questions “masculinity” – but hopefully writing about it will open a few minds.
AM: What inspires you most?
CT: As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been a writer. Journaling, short stories, poetry – I’ve been filling up notebooks since I was a young kid. My inspiration, even in those early days, came from my surroundings. The smell of a city, the sounds of nature, the look in someone’s eyes – my environment is my greatest influence. That’s why I’m always looking for new adventures.
AM: What else can we expect to see from you?
CT: You can expect more poetry, that’s for sure. Also, I’m working on a dark, seedy short story set in Los Angeles. Keep your eye on Asymmetric’s Instagram for updates.
