For Brenda O Connell who completed a monumental task in a fierce manner.
I will come from your hinterlands to fling open your doors,
I will swim from your oceans to strike at your shores.
I will climb up your trees and let my voice soar.
And when you should stop, I will sing more.
I will cross your borders to pitch my flag,
I will scale your walls to stand and brag.
I will take down your drum and beat it to four,
And when you should stop, I will beat more.
I will walk through your lands to take up my place,
I will name each woman and state their case.
I will dance their pain and sing their mores.
And when you shout stop, I will let my voice soar.
I will take up a stick to shape their face on the land,
I will stamp the truth of their past in each grain of sand.
I will paint their joys and tear up their veils,
And when you shout exile, l will pull down the sails.
And then when we meet me on the road as we will
I will offer my name and expect to hear yours.
I will meet you half way and stand fast where I am
Emboldened by voices from a whisper to a roar!
Beautifully written poem, reminds me of all the women who died in the Irish Maternity Services and the work done by The Elephant Collective to make sure they were not forgotten “ The roar behind the silence”.
Well deserved dedication to Brenda too she is some amazing woman and friend 💕
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