The Chorus Line:A Rope-Jumping Rhymewe are the maidsthe ones you killedthe ones you failedwe danced in airour bare feet twitchedit was not fairwith every goddess, queen, and bitchfrom there to hereyou scratched your itchwe did much lessthan what you didyou judged us badyou had the spearyou had the wordat your commandwe scrubbed the bloodof our deadparamours from floors, from chairsfrom stairs, from doors,we knelt in waterwhile you staredat our bare feetit was not fairyou licked our fearit gave you pleasureyou raised your handyou watched us fallwe danced on airthe ones you failedthe ones you killed
The poem "The Chorus Line: A Rope-Jumping Rhyme" captures the voices of women who have been marginalized and silenced by society. They reflect on their pain and struggles, highlighting how they have danced and lived amid oppression. The imagery of dancing in the air while enduring judgment and violence emphasizes their resilience, yet it also underscores the unfairness of their experiences, drawing attention to the power dynamics at play.
Through stark language, the poem reveals a deep sense of betrayal and injustice. The speaker acknowledges the violent acts committed against them and how their suffering has been ignored or exploited. While they express anger towards those who held power over them, there is also a sense of defiance as they reclaim their narrative, reminding the world of their strength despite the challenges they face.
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