For a Change

Annette Snyckers

My anger is too much a lady

she does not shout

she sits in the corner and sulks.

I want to shake her, drag her out,

bring her into the light.

I want her to pummel her fists

on the table, make a noise,

I want her to wear lipstick

the colour of ripe plums

and dark roses

I want her to wear heels

and stamp her feet

I want her to be

a bitch –

but she will not oblige.

Featured at The Red Wheelbarrow Zoom launch of The Only Magic We Know: Selected Modjaji Poems 2004-2020 on 31 March 2022