for bastet on her birthday (3)

for bastet on her birthday

how can we not recognize you,
goddess, honor & adore u, with
words that glorify, almost deify,
& adorn like a double crown the
proverbial little shecat who has
smashed or leaped high over
barriers that cage too many
women; who forced us all to
acknowledge yr needs, those
needs much more elaborate
than love or sexual satisfaction
which seem almost trivial in the
face of others u have realized.
we respect u because u respect
yrself. we honor u because
u give yrself honor. we know
yr strength because we have
leaned on u. we have lived
long enough to celebrate yr
many achievements.we have
watched u come thru tears &
trials. we have seen u master
fickle & feckless fate, evoke
infectious joy, seize yr
independence, proclaim yr
freedom …& dance -- belly
dance, flamenco dance, spirit
dance. we have watched u
grow more comfortable in yr
skin. we have watched u come
into yrself & glow ... & we will
watch u step lightly, joyously
into the eternal present.

© Joseph McNair; 2009