My poem and the journal pages to illustrate it:

Call me Crone

By Shelley Bain

Well-worn woman

old, rawboned.

Never—

Wise woman

Vibrant, voluptuous—

Once

maiden,

full of youth’s passion— laden

with eagerness for summer.

Underestimated strong savvy

Maiden,

lover of intercourse, exploring delightful-uninhibited wonder—

wise guidance sought

knowledge attained

Goddess revealed.

The waxing moon.

Forever

Mother

nurturer, protector—another

springtime, bountiful earth transformed.

Selfless, compassionate caretaker

Mother,

Lover of fulfillment from life freely shared—

fierce with emotions,

fecundity and grace,

Goddess reborn.

The full moon.

Behold

the Crone

wise woman grown

 from the chill of winter, the evanescence of earth.

Wise teacher, peaceful consort,

Crone,

Provides sage counsel, imparts sacred wisdom—

Conscious, empowered; ready

to rewrite the story of aging,

Goddess fulfilled.

The waning moon.

Call me Crone.