Woman of Peace

By: ​Devorah Major

woman of peace
​
in the me that is me
                peace
take away she who is named
                duty relationship status accomplishment
take away the she who wears any cloak
        how ever thin 
                strip me down
                to the me that is me unchanging 
                bare
                peace

never wanted to fight as a child
                peace 
never wanted to hit or be hit
                peace 
understood early on
the lessons to be learned 
from violence were of little value
fear and resentment 
cruelty
domination revenge 
always a wound 
always a scar
always damage

peace 
                the me that is me
                whatever else i am or am not
                what ever else i have or simply desire
                what ever else i dream of or fear

peace
                i struggle for justice
peace
                i resist oppression 
peace
                i hold on to humanity
peace

peace in my footsteps
peace in my tongue
peace in my heart

Born and raised in California,  ​devorah major  served as San Francisco’s Third Poet Laureate (2002-2006). She has just returned from Italy where her sixth book of poetry with open arms was released in a bilingual edition.  A Willow Press Editors Choice her seventh book of poetry Califia’s Daughter will be published by Willow Press at the end of this year.  devorah major performs her work nationally and internationally with and without musicians. http://www.devorahmajor.com