Menstruation, Menopause, Mental Illness,

...how is it that all our most painful experiences begin with men...?!

Woman Poem - NIkki Giovanni

Wiser on Wednesday - WOMAN - Nikki Giovanni

WOMAN - Nikki Giovannia
she wanted to be a blade

of grass amid the fields
but he wouldn't agree
to be the dandelion

she wanted to be a robin singing
through the leaves
but he refused to be
her tree

she spun herself into a web
and looking for a place to rest
turned to him
but he stood straight
declining to be her corner

she tried to be a book
but he wouldn't read

she turned herself into a bulb
but he wouldn't let her grow

she decided to become
a woman
and though he still refused
to be a man
she decided it was all
right

Who is Your Jesus?

Who is Your Jesus?*

Who is your Jesus?

What did he do?

Can he look like me?

Or must he look like you?

Who is your Jesus?

What did he do?

that means no woman

can preach him to you?

Who is your Jesus?

What did he do?

that requires I worship

exactly as you?

Who is your Jesus?

What is this Cross?

if we won't proclaim it

to those who are lost?

Who is your Jesus?

Didn't he forgive all?

or does he still hold Eve

responsible for the Fall?

Who is this Jesus?

What does he claim?

that we feel comfortable

killing in his name?

Who is this Jesus?

What did he do?

that makes you so sure

heaven's only for you?

Who is this Jesus?

that I can't proclaim

all of the blessings

that occur in his name?

Who is this Jesus?

that gives you the clout

to make decisions concerning

who's in and who's out?

Doesn't your Jesus

save by grace?

Why should it matter

if he has my face?

December 3, 2002 - written by R-Squared in response to the racism, sexism, elitism and mindless white privilege openly expressed in a seminary class.