Woman

To the scarlet lip stick wearers, the big hipped child bearers, the deep soul shakers, the belittled home makers, the wounded healers, the people's pain feelers, the milk heavy feeders, the moaning monthly bleeders, the dirty handed workers,

the sexy ass twerkers, the crystal ball gazers, the selfless child raisers, the woman of the village carrying water on her head,

the woman fleeing war with a box for bed, they may rip up your flowers and devour your fruit, they may tape up your mouth or put you on mute, they may wrap you in chains and keep you indoor while they take of your clothes and call you a whore

But let no one muffle your thunder or silence your song.

In your wildness be wicked, in your gentleness be strong.

Rachel Shore March 2021