MULBERRY TREE
(a feminist perspective)

A young girl
hiding on the roof of the garage
camouflaged by the mulberry tree.
My purple code of silence
covering my face, my voice.
Peeking through leaves
I see the world from my safe place.
I long to jump
feel the Earth again under my feet
but I stay hidden
behind the green and purple
that is becoming my life.

Now, a woman,
I could leap from the kitchen table
into words
strong words
purple and green words
coming from my mouth.
No leaves for camouflage.
The world in front of me
and my purple-stained fingers
clearly seen.

I look back to that small, distant mulberry tree
and jump.



Published: The Word is Out Poetry Journal, Broken Branches,