strong women
are always
witches,
but some of us can’t burn;
we have the feathers
of the phoenix
we remain immortal
always—
you try to tame us,
steal the wild from our bones;
and break our spirits
with both your words
and your snares
proverbial and real
yet still you are met
with rebellion—
because like every fierce creature,
we’re done being ruled;
and we have no use for our cages
our tears may heal you but our fires burn
& unlike us
you won’t rise from the ashes
so suffer not your ignorance
a strong woman doesn’t diminish your strength;
should you fear her then perhaps it is you that lacking
rather than she being too much.
Linda M. Crate’s works have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. She is the author of six poetry chapbooks, the latest of which is: More Than Bone Music (Clare Songbirds Publishing House, March 2019). She has also authored two micro-collections, and two full length poetry collections.