Second: Draw the Circle
by Beth Weaver-Kreider

Today we set our hair on fire.
We call upon the ancient matriarchs,
the giants and the hags who crossed the hedge,
who shifted shape to rabbit, to raven, to spider, to bear,
to antlered child running through forest.

Today we draw a circle
ringed about with women,
hair ablaze, and raging,
a community creating safety
for all who long for shelter,
women circled round,
a boundary of sisters enkindled.

Tomorrow the ballots will be cast
like spells.