For the village of strong women that raised me. I am indebted, always.

I will always need another body to follow through the fog
another voice to cut through the darkness
a thousand more tongues to set alight when our syllables
become knives
more fingernails to watch collect ink and stone as they claw their way home

Oh mothers, I will need you always
stand by you always – champion
each and every one of your minds

make myself in your image of strength
takes eyes, a nose and lips and carve
something new for myself a
face that says try me –
I dare you

And over everything I will
remember what you taught me:

No one can look down on a mountain                       and you raised me to be one.

by Amy Beecham