She stands proud,
Feet planted firmly
On Mother Earth.
Co-parent of the human race,
Doctor, lawyer, teacher,
Scientist and CEO.
Dreamer of dreams
And grasper of opportunity.
She stands proud.
Waitress, philanthropist,
Bus driver, construction worker.
Sometimes tired but not bowed,
A bulwark between her children
And homelessness, hunger,
Sickness, fear, and hate.
She stands proud. Dancer, poet, secretary,
Single mother, and lesbian,
Affirming her convictions
Of equality for all,
The right to one’s decisions,
Fending off those who
Criticize her choice of lifestyle.
She stands proud.
Astronaut, mathematician,
Single woman, wife,
Reaching out, not in greed,
But in compassion
For all women everywhere
Who speak out, rejoice and weep,
Who fight for education
And a better life for themselves
And the children of the world.
She stands proud,
Feet firmly planted
On Mother Earth.
Barbara Peckham has lived on Martha’s Vineyard since 2001. A retired teacher, in 2011 she published a book of poetry, “A Jar of Summer.”
