Identity Poem– Matriarchs
Celebration
A winter moon becomes your face,
her ancient grace rising full in your eyes,
with Celtic fire in your veins
and poetry in your heart you sing
songs of pain and jubilee.
Countless women share with you
the obvious brown of mousy hair,
a thin gray streak becomes a road,
a sacred path rising high to your temple.
Your arms upheld in righteous praise,
in salute to women at the well.
No wispy form like an aspen tree
caught in a quickening autumn breeze,
you are an unbending oak, planted strong,
planted deep, tapping the wisdom
of your covenant mothers, roots sunk deep
to God’s wellspring of unending beauty,
a beauty born of dust and watered by tears.
L.Gloyd (c) 1998, 2008


Here are the women whose bloodline has made me strong. My mother is on the far right.
L. Gloyd (c) 2008



Comments from the previously posted version:
It really does provide essential insight to participate and examine those timeless qualities that are passed down from generation to generation.
–Heather
How wonderful to have the portraits of strong women and to share them with us and to bring to poetry.– Fran
Lovely tribute, Lori. The Oak is a wonderful tree.– Monika
Strong women are so beautiful, inside and out! I also liked the background image & colors. — Kerry
Lori, such a beautiful poem of strength and power. I’m sure your ancestors are smiling
— Genece
Here’s to unbending oaks! It’s beautiful, Lori. — Jodi
Oh, Lori, that is so beautiful– Gail
And I still like it!