Worldwide Women's March

It wasn't much of a poetic stretch to see a nation, a world ripped at the seams when I took a solo "march" earlier and saw this ball lying in winter's dried field. People marched this day for so many reasons. The overwhelming sentiment that I had about the marching was that it was to defend voice. So so many people lose their voices when there is an abuse of power--women in particular have been vulnerable for years. And I mention them specifically because it was the voices of women who shined today, who came together to say "no." I wanted to be a voice and a witness with the masses, to feel the exhilaration of unity, but I have to represent with words this time. Abuses of power undermine confidence and self-respect, alter one's physical and emotional well-being, and can be irrevocably life-altering. They change people, cultures, and nations. I end this day keeping in my mind and my heart ALL whose voices have been muffled. I think of women I know who have been or are in such situations, and I will carry them with me in the days ahead. May we be given voice. I thought of this poem I wrote several years ago, and I post it here now.

Anatomy of a Voice

muscles of the larynx
unite with air and space
tongue and teeth

palate and lips
poised

to give voice--
once silenced
unspoken thoughts

like fish bones 

stuck at lips’ gateway— 

muted
when no longer hushed
voice

can spring forth--
laced with gravel 
or
​spun from silk