catapult magazine

With a multitude of voices, I speak

by Jenne Smith

strong voices, quiet voices, voices of women
who through the ages were silenced
and for those who still are.

The stories of my family, I speak.
Stories my mothers, aunts, and grandmothers passed forward.
Stories of hope, perseverance and
strength obtained from pain and sorrow.
Stories rife with the power, compassion, and wisdom
of Mother Earth, Athena, and Venus.

From a heritage rich in storytellers,
I now pick up the torch
in hopes of lighting another’s way.

With the wide-eyed innocence of a baby girl, I speak.
Of her adventure and joy for the newness
of each day’s potential;
potential for wild imaginings and
crazy theories only seen through a child’s eyes.

With the far-seeing eyes of the oracle, I speak.
Her stories of times long gone  
but still valued for their slower pace and simplicity.

Remembrances of history
that must be handed down
to keep us from regressing.
to help us be stronger
to move us forward.

Not to boast of self or out of pride do I speak.
No, only as a vessel through which
the voices of Sacagawea, Sojourner Truth and Joan of Arc
can be heard here in this moment.

Of memories held dear and
dreams yet unrealized, I speak.
With the power women have always
wielded but no longer need to subjugate, I speak.

On behalf of my gender, regardless of gender, I speak
to celebrate the truth and beauty
of all women, from all times and all nations.