Intersectional March

I will march in the awakening

of my late-rising accountability,

my chagrined sense that my cozy life

up till now, has had a price

I wouldn’t have incurred

if I had known it

I know now that none of the weakness

I’ve hid behind, all my sheltered years,

is any excuse

for not standing up

to today’s imperative

I will march silent

though my voice has not been heard till now

because my voice is not, right now,

the one that’s needed 

I will offer, rather, my ears, my arms,

all my contrite attention,

and from now on, for all my sisters,

I’ll be strong.

©Wendy Mulhern

January 20, 2017