'Women's Voices' by Debby Nguyen on the New York Times

A found poem I wrote in 20 minutes in 2018 that still feels personally relevant today.

"Below, a piece by Debby Nguyen from Vietnam, taken from a Book Review from 2017, “From Ancient Myths to Modern Day, Women and the Struggle for Power,” and a piece from 2018, “A Spring Frost? Or Are Those Flowers?”

Women’s Voices

During a spring as cold as this one, it is easy to miss Women’s voices.

The very sound of their voices, it was believed, could sink the state Its pitch and prattle — dangerous — proof of their wickedness.

Women’s voices Hide under a quarter with room to spare, Their tongues torn out, turned into trees or animals, Most people never notice them.

But women’s voices, during a spring as cold as this one Thrive below the blades, Blooms in the poorest of soils, Women’s voices — Wastes no time flowering.