"A Woman Speaks" by Audre Lorde

A Woman Speaks

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 do not dwell
within my birth nor my divinities 
who am ageless and half-grown 
and still seeking
my sisters
witches in Dahomey
wear me inside their coiled cloths 
as our mother did
mourning.

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. 

Audre Lorde