The Lioness is a mother
a friend, a sister
She's a teacher
a hunter, a mentor
She loves justice and peace

She'll raise her claws
to anyone putting her strength
to the test

With her claws she'll write
leaving the blood of her pain
and the rain of her tears
on paper

Her claws are hidden
in the gentle caress
of a newborn cub
or the loving embrace with a friend

She's the protector
of the helpless
The provider for the pride
She's the voice
of the voiceless
and the friend of the needy

Her roar, resounding on the plains
Is fierce
For when her pride is in trouble
or her home is threatened
She will not hesitate to fight
She will die before her home is taken

The lioness
is every woman who's stood
up for herself or her family
for her neighbours and her country

She is the woman struggling to feed
her children on a shoestring budget
She's the woman sitting up late at night
tending to a sick husband
She is the revolutionary fighting
for what is right

She is Mekatilili wa Menza,
She is Mary Nyanjiru
She is me
She is you

BROUGHT TO YOU BY PAMBAZUKA NEWS

* © 22 Jan 2007 Poetess of the People.
* Please send comments to [email protected] or comment online at Pambazuka News.