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.