Free Woman*
One day they will talk story about you
How you would dip the tips of your breast
in the soft mouth of a running brook
leave your fingerprints on the gray skull of a rock
How you would laugh
mouth open, legs spread to the sky
filling your belly with sun
"Daughter of Oshun"
they will say
You somersaulted over clouds
sweet curves of brown
swayed oceans with your hips
"Sister of Oya"
They will say
you carried a sword between your teeth
and the four winds in your hair
made armies fall with your battle cry
Wove melodies together with time
You will be called
Holy woman, singer, warrior, leader, conjurer, dancer, poet, lover
Your names will be held sacred
Hanifah, Ganessa, Jaz, Chaney, Ashley, Nicki
Your names will be held sacred
because you carved out of bone
out of blood, movement and song
A place for your tribe to grow.
-C. Izaguirre 2008
*written for some of the foremothers of Rivers of Honey