Right Now—Inches Away

Right Now—Inches Away
(Inspired under the wise tutelage of June Gould, Poet/Teacher,
Skidmore College 2014/ womensvoiceswomensvisions.com)

Since you asked, I will answer you…
You wear a collar and you think it gives
you permission to break open TRUTHS—

I DON’T want your collar and you’ll never
imprison this soul from breathing in
‘Creation’s Truths.’

You wear dresses…come, come now—look in the
mirror—Oh, I see, you call it a HABIT…
Keep your HABIT, but funny, when I put it on
you say it’s NOT the right dress for me…
WAIT, it fits—BUT, I don’t wish to wear
it AND I’m not going to put on those
‘right’ kind of dresses so that, you know,
I’ll then fit in—that’s what you’d like.

BUT IT IS NOT WHO I AM…

You do not even wish to HEAR who I AM—
Pardon me?  You’re asking another question…
BUT, did you hear me?

I’m trying to answer you.  But, you’re only
playing a charade as if you care…
YOU say women need to take more active roles.

HERE I AM—see me?
Oh, you do and that is why you’re going onto
the next question.

What I mean to say is…
You still see yourself as the keeper of
the keys…you’re the one with the collar
and it’s getting tighter and tighter.
You’re gasping for air and you could
UNLOCK your own deceit,
your self absorbed rules—
and start celebrating around a
circular table…
NO POINTED EDGES…
Only smooth curves—
an endless flow.

She who is can be found.
YOU CAN no longer hold her back.
She is ALIVE. She breathes—she dwells
in all.  Yes, You, too…

Your porcelain Mary—she’s crumbling
and Her pieces are alive…

In this time of chaos—
amidst the rubble…
SHE RISES.

NEVER

Never will you bind her.
She is the Mother.
She hears Her children’s cry.
She who is
WAITS NO MORE…

Right NOW—inches away.

9 replies
  1. Jan Hendron
    Jan Hendron says:

    Right on the ‘head’. You hit the nail right on the head!
    The ‘old boys’ are not going to give in. I read this accurately, and wonder ‘what are we going to do?’ I fear for Pope Francis, with all the cancellations.
    Love your ‘walking’ picture. Stay strong and firm, dear Sandy.

    Reply
    • Sandy
      Sandy says:

      Wonderful friend…what we are going to do is ‘speak’ our truths! We can no longer be silent AND we MUST be forgiving—this is The Gospel Truth!

      Reply
  2. Cheryl Smith
    Cheryl Smith says:

    You always, in such poetic fashion, describe the masquerade party going on in the church. I am strengthened knowing there are others who did not RSVP to that party!

    Reply
  3. Sarah
    Sarah says:

    I was there, in June’s class, when you proclaimed this piece. I wondered, Who IS THIS WOMAN? Suddenly you were gone, without my glimpsing you. Now I know!

    “My heart is moved by all I cannot save,
    so much has been destroyed…”

    Do you know this Adrienne Rich poem? Your poem makes me think of it.
    Sarah

    Reply

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