Woman, there comes a day
             
             when you know yourself to be a sacred being

             when the words that name each woman speak of strength and grace
                          MASEGO, MATILDA, SUNNIVA, ANNA, GHADA

Woman, there comes a day

             diminutives disappear from words for women's power

                          instead of goddess, priestess, prophetess
                          we say DEVI, SIBYL, RAMLA

Woman, there comes a day

             when the name each girl is given names a woman's power
                          SITA, LUCINA, ESTHER, IXCHEL, BRIGIT

             when every woman's name declares beloved woman, welcome in this world
                          MALIA, MARY, CARA, PRIYA, LEEBA

Woman, there comes a day

             you own the power you do possess
                           eros energy kin to radiant Creation 

             wield your pro-creative power according to your will 
             
             conceive and birth justice to the world

Woman, there comes a day 

             when all the nations know: survival is life is woman is sacred 

             when every woman's name proclaims a queenly peace:
                          MALKA, LAREYNA, IRENE, AN, MIREMBE and—
                          vagina's regal rhyme—REGINA

Woman, there comes a day
 
             you know your name's the source of life
                          ENID, EVE, ZOE, ESHE, LIV

             and violence gives way to victory
                          VALDA, VALENCIA, SIGRID, EUNICE, BERENICE

             the world reverberates soul-reverence
                          AROHA, NAYELI, ALMA, IFE, JANAN

Woman, there comes a day
             you know yourself to be a sacred being

Thea,
             let this be the day.


© Lisa Sarasohn 2013