March
8th international women’s day
my grandfather was born on this date
in 1889
his daughter died on this date
in 1997
each year it is bitter and sweet
a candle to light, a bright yellow mimosa
in a glass vase
the silence of passing time
the stillness of melancholy things
the quiet of women around me
i live in a fast moving place
a country of possibilities
of new moralities
a modern violence
and technology
i hear about my sisters
in other places
their presence still a crime
another sister gone
so many dreams out of sight
for the woman who never drove a car
never bared her face
to the glorious sun
never had her lips and nails
painted bright red
just for fun
cancel her dreams
to walk unafraid
in the daylight or the dark
still apologizing for who she is
what she would like to be
i look in the mirror
my sisters cheer on
the truth in the words i write.
[GIANNA PATRIARCA]
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