The Cry of the Phoenix
"I remembered who I was and the game changed."
“When women lose themselves, the world loses its way.” - Glennon Doyle
Poet, activist, and Childless Cat Lady extraordinaire, Gloria Horton-Young, recently wrote a poem entitled Legacy that not only stunned me with its eloquence but delivered a history lesson that each and every one of us needs to hear as well. No, not just read, but hear read aloud to us again and again so we can take in the enormity of what’s happening in this country - the significance of this moment. Everything so many women have stood for - put their bodies on the line for, flew in the face of oppression for, lived and died for - is coming to fruition. Their legacy lives with and within us. Going back is not an option.
So please sit with Gloria’s words. Read them aloud to yourself. Gather other women and read them aloud to and with them until your hearts and minds are full, until the courage and audacity of what she’s said seeps into your bones and you can answer this question:
“Can you remember who you were before the world told you who you should be?”
When you have the answer, you will know what you have to do. Each of us will do it differently - will contribute in her own unique way. Whatever that contribution is, give it everything you’ve got. And when election day comes, do as Gloria says:
Honor their legacy:
bleed
scream
claw
your way to the ballot box
Cast your vote with
the fury of a
thousand
voices
demanding
justice
We’ll see you at the polls!
Copyright 2024 by Jena Ball. All Rights Reserved.
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You are on fire, Jena!
Jena, we make a dynamic duo! You put my words to song. 🎶