NOT IN MY NAME

Not in My Name

Not in my name—
I laced my shoes
taking them off
sorrowfully laying them upon the stone altar.

No more would I step into
this barren womb
glittered in gold
marbled statues—
wooden crosses.

Follow me
that is what He said…
He did not say fall down
and worship me.

He paved a Way of Being
and at His side countless
women without NAMES.

They did not need their names to
be remembered.
Up from the skeleton graves
they rose…
the dirt streets—
their Cathedrals.

They knew the
sufferings
and pressed on.

Their egos far behind…
Their silence—pure action.
Their very movements
open displays.

They did not seek
glory, fame, recognition.
Yet, their beings radiated
LOVE.

This, the reason—
the ‘higher,’ the ‘rational,’ put
them asunder
to keep them in their place.

Their place is limitless.
A secret—
yet rising.

OVER STONE WALLS

They are crumbling
as we walk amidst
the rubble…
yes—women walking
over the same paths
as yesteryear’s.

A circular motion
of balance and harmony is
beginning to be restored.

NOT in MY NAME
but in EACH and EVERYONE
of OUR NAMES.

The stones cry out
rubbing together as they fall
up from the rotting floor boards.
A spark
now a flame
burning with a passion
fueled beyond words…

Rising, Rising, Rising
the sweet incense of mercy—
empty sacrifices
NO MORE.

An inferno
hand hewn.
A unanimous
clap of thunder bellows…
it is time
NOW.

Dusk came
and it began as if from the beginning
illuminating all things
from within the DARKNESS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In gratitude to June Gould whose wisdom and teaching of poetry inspired my work.

7 replies
  1. Cheryl L. Smith
    Cheryl L. Smith says:

    I am but one among countless women who resonate with these words. The bite and sooth at the same time. Leave it to Sandy to live within the tension of paradox.

    Reply
  2. Doris Maitland
    Doris Maitland says:

    Dear Sandra,
    I’m so happy that your poetry teacher was a genius because I just love your poetry.
    Keep up your beautiful work.
    Doris

    Reply

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