Pepper Spray

December 13, 2025December 15, 2025Leave a comment

Pepper Spray by Valerie Parente

Men say they’re better at tolerating the pain
so I say, hey! What’s a little pepper spray?
They can handle the weights, but can they handle the word “no”?
While we handle the weight of a man’s world on our bones.

Us women are tearing up because we’re feeling the depth,
these men are tearing up when we wreak self-defense.
I’m not saying it’s a competition, who’s the better sex
but one bleeds to create life, the other bleeds when life ends.

These men’s eyes may burn, they’re eyes may grow wet,
maybe then they’ll understand how it truly feels to be on edge,
running to our cars, gripping pepper spray for dear life
locking our doors, worrying we’ll be the next sacrifice.

– Valerie Parente (12-13-2025)

Warrior Princess

April 13, 2025April 16, 2025Leave a comment

Warrior Princess by Valerie Parente

Why be a damsel in distress
when you can be a warrior princess?
Be your own champion
instead of just waiting.
Get up and take action
and feel a new kind of passion
that does not heat or cool
on the whim of a man’s mood.

If you’re proud and poised
dictated by your own choice
they say you’re a tramp
because you don’t belong to a man
so screw being appraised
by your last, not first name.
You are entitled when provoked,
swing the sword on your own!

You are not to apologize
to settle or compromise
for the system thrust forth
the moment you were born.
You were always a warrior deep down
that’s why they created a crown
to distract you with a wish
to be a trophy to those you kiss.

It may sound crazy
but in this world it’s an act of bravery
to dare to feel beautiful
without a man’s approval.
You are a warrior princess
exquisite just because you exist
as you, your own being
despite what fairytales were preaching.

– Valerie Parente (4-13-2025)

Shape Shifter

November 16, 2024March 7, 2025Leave a comment

Shape Shifter by Valerie Parente

Have you ever heard
of the Shape Shifter?
She changes form
to fit her mister.

Shape Shifters are not born
they are girls once raised
by those who were supposed to
show them praise.

No one protected her
or taught her to question
why man’s needs come first
and hers come second.

Here lies red dotted lines
and the pen is his
it’s a calculated path
so she does not trip.

The Shape Shifter has no passion
just sheer dread
that she’ll have to confront
the girl in her head.

And if you asked her
who she really is
she wouldn’t have an answer
aside from “someone’s Mrs.”