behold the Matriarchs

gather gather

roar and rabble

cast the Circle

and behold the Matriarchs

wee ones growing

in covens and classrooms

old ones honoured 

in lodges and love 

hardworking ones hustling 

in corporations and co-ops

we are all making magick 

from the kitchen witches 

brewing care on stoves

to the artist witches 

binding spells in paint and pages 

boss bitch witches 

taking names on the top floor

this is what a Matriarch looks like 

we all come from Matriarchs

some of us lucky to be so close

to know 

our Teachings from our living Elders 

song to drum to 

heartbeat

others have to reach back

centuries or only 

know it in bones 

knowledge passed from Matriarch 

to newly born Matriarch 

still in moving blood 

yet we all somehow know 

what Medicines to pick for healing 

how to twist a babe in womb 

how to whisper stories 

to keep one 

another 

safe 

we know

that this world has never worked as either/or 

only as both and all and every 

we know

our true selves are based on Spirit 

not body parts 

we know 

we are all water carriers 

this is what revolution looks like: 

one small person 

making more from little 

one tiny movement 

weaving hope into bleak 

and seeing thru and to 

the other side 

witches be bitchin 

Matriarchy recognizes 

we all have a place and space 

Ancestor to newly born 

Ancestor 

this was always 

the way 

(so mote it be 

so blessed fucking be)