On January 21st, 2017 my partner and I headed down to the Women’s March to join in solidarity with others who were doing the same around the world. There was such a shared sense of presence (of being there together), even as signs voiced a range of issues and even as I knew that we were filling streets in so many different locations and countries.
I took a number of photographs that afternoon. In the days that followed, I worked with some of the gathered and photographed words (from the signs) to write this poem. Many thanks to all those who stood and stand together. And to all those who carried signs and let their voices be seen as well as heard.
MY BODY MY COUNTRY
INTERRUPTED
DISABLED
HELD BACK
Missing
Murdered
Denied
a SURVIVOR
with DARKNESS part of my LIGHT
I HEAR
VISIONS
FOR A MORE JUST
LOVE
fearless VOICES
SING
TO CREATE A HOPE
DANCE
RIGHTS ARE RIGHTS
the words
WILL NOT GO
QUIETLY
BACK
WE ARE A TRUTH
WE are SEEDS
WE ARE BRIDGES
WE ARE
STILL
[here]
