Women Folk

The sisters
who come

mothers
daughters

nieces
friends

elders
teachers

nurturers
healers

protectors
sha-women

gather round
soothe you

protect you
pray with you

make you chicken soup,
make you laugh

bear fruits, vegetables,
wholesome things

give your stories life
by listening

bearing witness
to your existence

watch you cry
give you license to wail

hold your hand
hug you, love you

the ones who let you know
that you matter

that you are not alone
that we are here for each other

these are my women folk
and I thank God for them

i, i am one of them

honor your women folk
they alone

are the strong ones
the caring ones

no living alone
laughing alone

growing old alone
grieving alone

suffering alone
or dying alone

when you have strong loving
women folk.