WHAT I SEE WHEN i SEE HER WRAPPED IN A VEIL

Flowers of lace fraom her face.
She's wrapped in royal blue with a royal bearance.
I look past her coverings to eyes full of quiet dignity.

I'm not holier than thou, she seems to say.
I'm better for myself.
I don't need to bare my skin,
To paint my face,
To know I'm a woman.

I'm content to wear the veil of my people.
It wraps me in comfort.
The comfort of heritage.
The comfort of faith.
The comfort of knowing who I am.

Why should I unveil who I am?

(3-29-2002)