I’ve had no man
To guard and shelter me,
Guide and instruct me
From mine infancy.

No lord of earth
To show me day by day
What things a girl should do
And what she should say.

I have gone free
Of manly excellence
And hold their wisdom
More than half pretence.

For since no male
Has ruled me or has fed,
I think my own thoughts
In my woman’s head.

*Lesbia Harford was an Australian poet, novelist, lawyer and political activist. She was born in 1891, had delicate health all her short life and died in 1927. Nevertheless she packed a lot of living into her 36 years.