The Sound of Their Names

            for the Women of the 19th Amendment 

Praise their grit and gospel, their glistening

brains, their minds on fire. Neurons, numbering the stars.

Praise their bones. Their spines and skulls,

the axis, the atlas: I will not and I shall.

Their mouths, praise. Ridged palates

and smart muscular tongues, teeth, sound or pitted,

their wit and will. Their nerve,

and founded within the body. Honor

now their wombs and hearts, biceps and blood,

deep mines of the flesh where passion is tested.

Thank all twenty-six bones of their feet,

arches, heels, bunions, sweat,

marching the streets in high buttoned boots. Praise

the march. Praise justice.

Though slow and clotted. 

Their hands at the press. The grease and clatter,

the smell of ink. Feel the sound

of their names in our mouths:

Susan B. Anthony

Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee

Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Wilhelmina Kekelaokalaninui Widemann Dowsett

Praise their eyelids that close

and give rest

at the end of each long day.

Praise the work that goes on.