[Poetry Friday] “A Woman Speaks” by Audre Lorde

Fats here.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, I’m sharing a poem by Audre Lorde. As noted on her bio on Poetry Foundation: A self-described “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” Audre Lorde dedicated both her life and her creative talent to confronting and addressing injustices of racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia.

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A Woman Speaks

by Audre Lorde

Moon marked and touched by sun
my magic is unwritten
but when the sea turns back
it will leave my shape behind.
I seek no favor
untouched by blood
unrelenting as the curse of love
permanent as my errors
or my pride
I do not mix
love with pity
nor hate with scorn
and if you would know me
look into the entrails of Uranus
where the restless oceans pound.

[…]

I have been woman
for a long time
beware my smile
I am treacherous with old magic
and the noon’s new fury
with all your wide futures
promised
I am
woman
and not white.

Source: The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde (1997)