Woman

This woman of mine

is not hands tied and knees down.

She is not limbs down and head bowed

my woman is no dog fed crumbs

nor a waste bin to be forced into.

Her body not an object to release your emptiness.

My woman is not adorned in the garment of shame,

and will not dance to the dirge of her relevance.

This woman will not voice the lyrics of slavery

Woman! You are battle ready

with victory in your palms.

You will not sit to barbaric traditions

nor learn baseless submission.

My woman's smiles will not be adorned with the lie lines

so do not teach this woman to die in silence.

Woman! You are an oracle and will prophesy words of wisdom.

You were the path of the Messiah

Yours, is the faith of Hannah.

The queen in Esther

and with a sling and five stones

will you make desolate the habitation of the wicked.

This woman is the favoured Mary

and the prophetess Deborah

She's the glory accorded Jael

and will pin down every opposition.

Woman!

Roar like a lion till your voice is an unending echo in the minds of the wicked.

For your tears watered this earth to success while your back bore many sorrows

and though you may have forgotten to love yourself

You

Woman

are Grace undiluted.