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| Photo by Katherine Hanlon on Unsplash |
Streaks of light through cloud
wrap ‘round her curved form
as she stands arms entwined
with others. A living fence of flesh
seems fragile, ready to give
way to force and yet
they still stand.
She stands waiting not willing
any longer to wait for what is hers
for what is theirs.
One half of the race denied.
No more!
She stands so the woman
next to her can have a choice
can have a voice. She stands
so her daughter can scale
the walls, can dissolve
ceilings of glass. She stands
so her granddaughter can demand
what is hers and be heard.
She stands and her feet grow roots
reach through concrete
push down into dark, moist earth.
Her roots deep
become entwined with others.
Sturdy now, she reaches
out and up towards sky
towards a new day when
light breaks through gray
through barriers
through time and everything
becomes as earth in spring.
© 2012 Joanne Elliott
This week I wanted to write about spring, but all this craziness, especially in the U.S., over trying to control women is getting to me. So I offer "She Stands" for all the women, especially those out there making a difference, making a better world and for the first day of spring and the new beginnings it represents.
For dVerse Poet's Pub Open Link Night.
A strong write and your last stanza sparkles with hope!
ReplyDeleteAnd stand strong she should, stupid that many still have to put up with this.
ReplyDeletedef a strong write...and def think we need to consider our freedoms as we choose who will lead our country forward...if we keep voting in the same schmucks we can not expect different results...
ReplyDeleteJoanne! What a wonderfully poetic stand against the lack of common sense that seems to be taking over the world. I have strong opinions on this...and often find myself in debates that get lost in big words and dogma. BUT...I will resist the urge to turn your space into my soapbox...I will simply stand as she does, and offer 110% of my support.
ReplyDeleteThe strength of women! I hugely identified with this piece. I particularly enjoyed the line: 'She stands and her feet grow roots, reach through concrete.' Often, advancing the cause and rights of women the world over is as difficult as growing roots through concrete, but together we are capable of the impossible! A beautiful and timely poem.
ReplyDeleteA great message here, strong and nicely written.
ReplyDeleteThis was an inspiring and inspired write. I like how you linked generations and the continuum of history. Well done.
ReplyDeletethis is just gorgeous joanne...love the message it carries...strong and powerful write
ReplyDelete"A Living fence of flesh" a wonderful line in a lovely poem for the season.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Mark Butkus
So much depends on standing up and on fighting back. Women fought hard for the right to be treated equally under the law with men, and the erosion of that will weaken us all, weaken our society itself. Great poem,in language and structure as well, Joanne
ReplyDeleteI echo my first comment Joanne...the goosebumps returned, as I knew they would. This resonates so well as so many STILL try to strip us of our rights. I feel in this particular issue, we've stepped back instead of forward. Seeing what has been said, what is being debated...unbelievably frustrating from where I'm sitting! Raise your voice...and thank you for sharing this powerful piece on this special day!
ReplyDeleteVery frustrating it is STILL. Unfortunately this poem and events like 100 Thousand Poets for Change are still needed. I'm honored to be a part of this great event! Thank you so much for hosting and for all that you do!
DeleteYes, it is those roots that make all the difference... and when we all stand together, grow together, even better.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed. Thank you for commenting and for being a part of the change.
DeleteThis is an anthem for a movement, of one woman's voice standing for future generations of women, the affirmation that one voice is enough, if it is our own.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sam. I think many of us don't realize just how important our own voice is.
DeleteI really enjoyed your composition Joanne, and the way your verse unfolded, especially these lines:
ReplyDelete"Sturdy now, she reaches
out and up towards sky
towards a new day when
light breaks through gray..."
I can envision that, and how it might be if people experienced it! Kudos, Roger ☺
Thank you Roger! I'm so glad you can envision it! That's a huge part of creating change. :-)
Delete