i never did meet a god in eden

adam says its my fault i bleed
a week each month
and that its my fault
the trees are bare all winter
and that death, yes death
began when i fed him an apple.
well, maybe that happened
a long, long, time ago and i dont remember
but i dont want to argue

who of all you rule-makers
lived on this earth longer than we all will?
moses said god wrote on those stones
but i never saw a holy finger
scratch a law.
and i think i have as much right as you
to carve my golden calfs
and eat the bright red apples because
i never did meet a god
in eden.

i am afraid of this place i live on--
this planet
with all it's fiercesome beauty.
i am afraid
of us
of not knowing
or understanding what makes you you behind your smiles.
i am afraid of losing my life again
every day
that i dont live fully,
wishing for later and for rest
and,
im afraid i will not want it when its here.

Act like a lady

I am strong.
I am a tree woman
roots deep
dancing boughs

I am a warrior woman, amazon
I am not afraid of night.

Daughter of earth
yes, that is me
sun-worshiped,
proud, yes--
living stone.

I am no shadow
no
whispering weakling
I ask for no permission.
i am a thing of beauty--
fierce
like lightning

no butterfly
no delicate flower

I am a wasp
and I do sting

I am a siren
I am a goddess--
pray for grace.

I am formidable;
I am all these things.
I am the standard of myself
and I
define my name
I am a woman--
You
Act like a Lady.