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.