These Lesser-Known Eves

These lesser-known Eves —
Ophelia drowned amidst reeds, leaves
Celie never free except by purple,
Anna ground under the train wheels,
Esther trapped in the bell jar,
Hester no better with the letter A —
These lesser-known Eves
raging in a sea of discontent.

These lesser-known Eves,
like you and me arguing outside
the women’s clinic,
These lesser-known Eves
who choose their elderly cat
over another lover,
These lesser-known Eves
who take the money and run.