For Maya and Matilda

From http://loveforliana.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/footprints-snow-love-for-liana.jpg, courtesy of The Internet. 'Tis a very lovely image, methinks, and evocative of certain phrases from this poem.

Poetry fans, you're in luck--the next several posts on this blog will contain a plethora of poetry, as I have recently had to complete two collections of poetry for school. The assignment for this one was to write a poem in the style of another, more famous poet, so I have attempted to imitate the poetic style of the inestimable Maya Angelou.

Another inspiration for this poem was the story of Matilda, Lady of the English. I don't think you have to know her story to understand the poem, but it might help.

For Maya and Matilda

I want to be the woman who walks

seven miles through the cold snow

to ensure that her queendom will never be conquered,

even as her own people chase her away

for trying to rule in her own right.

Intentional, unmentionable, unconventional,

ever growing, ever knowing, never slowing,

glorious, victorious, the peace-bringer and bell-ringer,

a mother, a daughter, a lover—but more

than each label combined, for medieval words

often mean more than what's carved into the stone.

I want to be the woman who walks,

defying and flying and trying to hold on

to what is intangible, what is infinitesimal,

what is inestimable, what is phenomenal.

I will tread over all the earth,

the love in my body pouring out

into the white of the winter frosts

and come to my throne of silent songs

on the pulse of a new day.