Editor’s Note: Much has been written and published about women’s rage in the last months—and with good reason. We’re living in a time of incredible backlash to women’s rights and the progress of the last century—and women are rising up to lead the resistance and demand equality. That’s why I’m proud to share this poem by young feminist Uma Menon with our readers, which extolls the power of womanhood and the urgency of celebrating women’s contributions to this world. As we kick off a new year full of new fights, I hope it invigorates you.
The Universe, a Woman
(i) Prologue
They say the universe formed with one big bang but
we all know it must have a mother.
Listen to the theory of maternal relativity,
find power to expand. The blood
of the universe has turned cold in search
of its mother.
(ii) Galaxies
There was a time when my path was enshrined,
when you worshipped my footsteps, gravitating
towards each of my movements. Call it a galaxy.
There was a time when you savored the milk I spilled
and bottled it up like a genie for posterity to stare
and wonder at.
There was a time when you looked up at the sky
& saw only my light. You prayed to me
& divinity.
(iii) Nebula
They say that when woman is angry
she devours the whole world.
They are wrong, of course –
she devours the entire universe.
All that is left is dust,
dust in more colors than emotions felt
when I swallow you whole.
My fingers are the pillars of creation
that give you this life. I birth the stars you sing of.
Orbit me. Feel ego dissipate into dust,
dust.