earlier this summer, i had the pleasure of reconnecting with kate fontana, who i’ve crossed paths with in beautiful ways over many years. we had the chance to sit down and talk about all the things, including: abolition, organizing, and revolutionary love. check it out here.

thanks, kate, for a beautiful conversation.

they say her story’s illustrated in her hands

and to the labor of a woman owes the land

‘cause only by her will the planet earns the strength

to orbit sunshine yearly and to dream at length

 

she is the vessel holding life and anchored strong

that from the depths of every strife she carries on

she teaches sun faith in the dusk and hope at dawn

turning the pain into notes of her joyful song

 

how does the saying go, she is therefore i am

because she did, we do, and she could, so we can 

and though a throne she does deserve is seldom granted

there is no match for matriarchs, a force unbranded 

 

this for the sister, mama, auntie, nana – yes, she holds it down

greet you with fist up in her armor bronze to match the golden crown

this for the one that sees us through and never lets us hit the ground

but when we fall, she shows us bruises teach our power to rebound

 

this for the unappreciated voice that sings behind the sound

the underestimated soldier that loves the hardest pound for pound 

this for the rose that grew from concrete like a hidden diamond found 

the flower pushing from its feet despite the rain to rise up proud 

and so repeat, it’s as the saying goes, she is therefore i am

those in the back: because she did, we do, and she could, so we can 

and though her name ain’t always raised in praise, her worth can’t be dismantled 

a woman’s legacy lives on in all that’s good and named a miracle.