Carolyn Rodgers

Fragile iron woman
                subsumed
proud head bowed yet
   still standing

   Old school
Member Of The Club
from way back when

Dues paid
triple

Had a strong ride
serious and funny
     influential …
made us mfkers laugh
while we wiped our tears
and reclaimed our weapons
from the floor

Left the footprints easily
too big for most
to handle

Be safe       recline
         let strong Arms
             hold you
         You have earned
             a soft ride home 

From Continuum: New and Selected Poems (Just Us Books, Inc., 2007 and 2014) by Mari Evans. Copyright © 2007 and 2014 by Mari Evans. Used with the permission of the Estate of Mari Evans.