The people I love best
[In honor of Marge Piercy]

Are women

Women
Strong like wire,
Bending when necessary
Curving without breaking.
They are soft like the earth,
Hiding life within them.

They are
Women who lounge on couches, without bras,
Drinking wine
And laughing too loudly.
Women in courtrooms
Wearing gavels, and suitcases.
They don't just want a seat at the table.
They want the whole table.

The people I love best are

Women who cry in each
Other’s arms.
All hips, music, and wisdom smelling
Like sage and garlic.
They raise babies on hope and courage.
They raise each other on kindness and power.

The people I love best are

Women who care for each
Other like our survival depended on it.
The people I love best know that it does.