My friend, Staceyann Chinn wrote a poem (For Weeping Girl named Nina) that touched me today....Here is the part that really grabbed me:
"...woman/child
stop weeping/stop caterwauling/all that/endless bellyaching
is entirely un/necessary
what you need to do is claim your voice
your song/your story is all you have
so wield it/weapon like you have to sling it/blade and bloody
you cannot be afraid of it
fall
but get up
open your throat/your hands
your heart is nothing but an open thruway
drive/little girl/drive
let that wind dry your face
your fingers
your fears
feel the fury of your faith
fate ain't got nothing on you
water ain't nothing but water
swim/little girl/swim
put those pretty notes in a little brown bottle
and keep them
sailing to sea"
I have been lamenting the Prop 8 vote. The homophobia, the vitriol - even more the priviledge and callous indifference had me curling up inside. But I read this poem and it's ending seemed like more than a call to healing - it was a call to arms. This is a fight that I am ready and willing to engage. I will not be invisible. I will not be silent. It is past time to take up space, to find my voice, to roar. Thanks, Staceyann!