Elder Woman

come closer…

my intrinsic beauty can be elusive
to the preconditioned eye,

my worth invisible; 
to a prepossessed culture
drunk on youth and gadgetry…

I stand in quiet sovereignty;
my feet grounded in both worlds;
undistracted from this present moment…

my silver mane;
a crown of authenticity,

I wear my years
like platinum silk;

weaving rich, glistening threads
of
wisdom
grace
discernment
and seasoned equanimity;

my compass is internal,
I need not reference outside myself;

my relationship with truth
immutable…

I am defined by
the holiness
that permeates the all in all;

I am inextricably connected
to the web of living and dying...

my vision is keen,

I behold
the architecture
of the universe...

I have learned the language
of the moon and stars;

the rivers and oceans
are my blood,

the mountains and canyons
my flesh,
my bones;

I am
what was
what is
what will be;

the seed
the blossom
and the withering husk;

I am a perpetual invitation
to the great unfolding
in its raw and untamed form…

I have been forged
in life's holy crucible,

my hips have entertained
kings & queens,
woodland birdsong
and waves that kiss the shoreline,

my womb
has gestated and birthed
new souls
and galaxies of wonder,

my breasts have suckled

babes,
dreams,

men who wished
the war to leave them,

brokenness
ecstasy
regret

beauty
longing
grief

and fledgling visions…

I bow
to the intelligence
of all seasons,

I find home
inside the heart
of paradox...

I honor
the sacrosanct medicine
born of my own
transcendent story
on the arc of evolution;

may it flow
like a stream
of healing

into
this gorgeous
aching world…

sacred thread words & image © Heather Rhodes
model: C.J.