amazing women create amazing women
i recognize this in myself, in my daughter
in my mother, in my grandmother - she
stood before the fire pounding a little ball
of dough until it was flat and did not feel
the flames - when she was beaten this is
how she took it - she simply turned and
did not cry - my mother the same but she
was brighter and ran away - each bitter
act dropped along the way - she became
deaf: the accusations, the belittling all fell
inches from her face: me well you know
about me - i laugh at it all dear: narrow it
down to simple fear: all fear must be faced
will be faced and systematically filed away
deportations, jail sentences, writ upon writ
children adopted away, even death - if not
one of those don't bother me with silliness
dare to hit me and i will hit back: yell at me
and i will cut and slice the very word until
flames are felt - and what of my daughter
what will her amazement be
peace, let her be: final and complete
