Sacagawea
When I meet the Great Water
she who the Raven call Yemaya
I close my eyes and feel her fingers
pull me out toward her circle
away from men, birthing a joy
warmer than any I’ve ever known.
But when I can no longer smell her salt
in the air and her song gets too soft to hear
my own water breaks again, but this time
instead of a brave little hunter or dancer
I give birth to a great emptiness
I know I’ll carry on my back forever.