truth

has a way of
standing
in its own right

months of
standing up
for all our water
for all our lives
indigenous peoples
gathering of tribes

standing up
to mainstream oppression

standing
in prayer
in peace
in partnership
with everyone
for everyone

I am standing
with those
who stand up
for justice

I am
standing
on the dance floor
stretching beyond
ingrained moves
habitual tension
loosening up
making room

more love
in this body
more movement
in this body
more truth
in this body

I am
standing
in solidarity
praying for water

deep bows
by the creek
loving it’s flowing
and early morning sounds
a train in the distance

I am standing
in solidarity
with strangers in a distant camp
with young women
close to my heart
relying on me
in new and ancient ways

I am standing
with you
with me
standing up for healing
from oppression
uncovering and fighting back
shame

no man made theory
can hold the whole truth

words were never enough
to describe what it’s like
in a woman’s body
in a female life

truth and shame
mutually exclusive
truth has power to undo
oppression
bullying
impact
of the well intended
comments
that demean our being

women were always
condemned
for showing emotion
for standing tall
for rocking the boat

the well meant comments
and ever so slight withdrawal
shying away from me, what is real
making it wrong
making me wrong
a recipe for shame
for hiding and allowing
personal
relational
global
oppression

I’m standing
in truth
feminine power
ladylike innocence
unpacking layers of shame
undoing layers of oppression

I’m standing
for me
and for you
for all my relations
standing with tribal
peaceful
protectors
standing in power
truth shall unfold

©Maja Bengtson, 2016