Ancient Woman

I began writing this during our trip to Big Bend in October 2018... I'm glad I finally finished it


I am an ancient woman
the blood that flows through my veins is like the rain
each drop a perpetual reincarnation of blood borne, blood shed.
I am an ancient woman
my bones fossils, eons of history etched in stone
one day to be found long after I draw my last breath.
I am an ancient woman
my skin is brown, baked by the Sun for centuries.
I am an ancient woman
ravines and valleys the scars and wrinkles of a life lived - sometimes hard,
other times a bit less hard.
I an ancient woman
my hair is the forest;  new growth and old - layers of colors from green to brown with hints of red as the leaves in fall.
I am an ancient woman
my Spring and summer have passed
the autumn descends upon me and the end is the only part left but to hate Winter I cannot.
I am an ancient woman
a healer
gazer of stars
starter of fires
conqueror of fears.
I am an ancient woman
my heart has beat for thousands of years - many times broken and healed over,
my thoughts are the sand grains on the beach
constant never ending, never fully contained
always lingering long after the trip to the shore is done.
I am an ancient woman.

I will not drown

"sugar melts but shit floats, you'll be fine in the rain" 
I was once told....
but I no longer fear drowning - 
let the skies open up and the rain come down on me 
                     for yes 
                                 sugar may melt 
                                            but 
                                                   gold 
                                                             sinks 
                                             
                                                                  and I have grown gills.

I Braid My Hair

I braid my hair
     to trap my sorrow so my
          heart is not burdened

I braid my hair
    to keep my fears from 
           drowning my courage

I braid my hair
    to keep my ignorance from
           shutting my eyes and ears to wisdom

I braid my hair
     to keep the actions of my enemies
           from tainting my soul

I braid my hair
      to hold my magick close
                and keep it bright from 
                                the darkness of this world...

I braid my hair
     as did my grandmothers
             long before the moon and sun were old

.... I braid my hair..........