She discarded the mask designed to narrow
once worn by a hundred generations.
Shedding tresses like a molting sparrow
during lunar seasons, and birthing traditions.
Once worn by a hundred generations,
adorned with silver, lace, a flower
during lunar seasons, and birthing traditions,
curls and plaits, her secret power.
Adorned with silver, lace, a flower
tangling hearts and a lover's hand,
curls and plaits, her secret power,
a domesticated siren lured the man.
Tangling hearts and a lover's hand
once knotted tight as a willow basket
a domesticated siren lured the man
diverting the goddess from her task.
Once knotted tight as a willow basket
unloosed to fly in all directions,
diverting the goddess from her task
hair weighed her down, cruel expectations.
Unloosed to fly in all directions
shedding tresses like a molting sparrow,
hair weighed her down, cruel expectations,
she discarded the mask designed to narrow.
Nancy Taylor Day
January 6, 1997