Woman

Labeled a mother, a daughter, a wife A woman, a girl.

Hidden under them is a being Who longs to burst out,

And just be; An expression of a beautiful mind.

Whose ability to give

Transcends the limits of labels; Who remains the crux of harmony

In the home and in the world.

Yet, centuries of ignorant silt Slow her walk through life. The faint of heart will not know that With enlightened paving of a path less trodden You will have an untameable lover.

Have you seen the sunrise Over the horizon of your past? Year after year, she has been another possession That you dangle at will.

Through it all, her love remains resilient, Her silent stance, a forgotten measure of fortitude.

When you lash her with words, her heart cries for love When you beat her with your hands, her heart shouts for love When you tie her hands to the post, her heart weeps for love When you throttle her throat, her dying breath whispers the plea for love.

Oh, dear peasant, only if you knew The treasure you could not keep.

- mh (c) 2015