The Essence of My Womanhood

A poem in celebration of International Women’s Day

Photo by 愚木混株 cdd20 on Unsplash

I began as a genderless soul —
a point of light that yearned,
from its moment of creation,
to return to its Creator.

I was given a fertilized egg to care for,
to protect and cheer for,
to accompany for
an unknown stretch of earth-time.

I was adorned with the attributes of God,
instructed to nurture them,
use them to guide my companion-body
through its life of darkness and light.

I watched as my body grew a uterus,
as female hormones flooded its unformed brain
and bubbled through its tiny network of
electrical circuits and fluid-filled tubes.

I didn’t yet know what this would mean.

I saw my companion thrust squalling from her soft warm womb-home
into the hard cold glare of the world she would travel.
Afraid.
Confused.