WAVE WOMEN

The women
Of the waves
Will keep their
History in seashells,
Notch the generations
With red coral beads threaded
With quilted strips of colorful cloth
Hung down strong backs,
Round necks and
Across fertile bellies. They
Will feed babies sea-Cows milk,
Take lessons from Yemaja on
How to bend
The water into
Boat-sized baskets, and
Look for darker secrets that so often,
Come bouncing up from
Deeper depths.

My mama and her
Mama’s, mama’s, mama’s mama
Travel with the women- in
Groups like deities on parade. When
We leave this time for the
Journey. They will
Help unpack the bags, sooth
Raw, storm ravaged nerves, feed
The babies and wash the
Bodies clean of the
Stench of travel.

Then when rested,
They will, along
with the men, plant victory
Gardens, raise the babies,
shout down thunderous
Clouds with
Laughter and passion.