Sheba

In honor of International Women's Day

Photo by Bill Hamway on Unsplash

Bless you, Dear Soul,

Today’s reading is in honor of International Women’s Day and is from my book Father To Son: Ode to Our Black Young. This piece is titled Sheba. May Womanhood be held sacredly, for the sake of all living things.

With Care,
Jaiya


SHEBA

Glorious mothers and sisters
wives and daughters
laboring souls crowned
with evidence of striving
enterprise rising

blossoming of families
spice-seasoned moments
of spirit-rich days
Smelling like tropical breezes
in your queenly stroll through life

Whispering hints of coconut oil
chocolate and lilacs
through the breath of your pores

You are Sheba
the scent of woman
stately towers of resilience
in wandering winds

cascading sheets of golden fabric
free-flowing threads
blowing in elegance
around your body
heralding the freedom
with which you flow
displaying like sunset
the aural ripening
of your female glow

You are Sheba
exuding your unique smile
through folds and blends
of African dress
exalting your heart
through splashes of every color
through vibrant patterns
of quilted commonality
commonality that you Sheba share
with Woman Indigenous
with Woman Africa Asia Arabia Europa
with tides of Woman washed up
in companionship on every shore

You are Woman and more

Sheba the peacemaker
to you we turn for our final peace

Sheba the warrior
your Love fights our battle
with domination in the least

Sheba the soul wading by the river
gathering cool water in your palms
to cleanse the child
to refresh the spirit
to feed the land

Caking radiant riverside mud
smoothly across your cheekbones
you are painted beauty
searching for a throne
Shaking down autumn leaves
from a final treetop slumber
you dance with a woman’s hips
a woman’s legs
you dance an enchanting number

Upon that brown and orange
autumn leaf-swept floor
you dance the dance of creation
of healing
you dance for more

Captivating robes and turbans
towering high
maroon blushes
accessory jewels
hanging from the Sheba tree
you are scent and storm
and calming sea

Sheba you are the hands
of Woman joined across
the great expanse
in your grasp lies our earthly bond
and warmth-fed hope
Sheba
you are the Freedom Rope

You gather all by the fires
settling the elderly
over by the sheltering tree
bringing the children close
by your knee
You gather the men closest
to the warmth of the flame
for you know a proper Sheba fire
will bring their restless souls
some at long last tame

You gather all by the fires
in the dimming daytime light
and rising up on the wisps of smoke
you, Sheba, grab the night

You say:

Walk tall the aged
for your feet have calmed the path

Walk tall the youthful
for this blessed path next is yours

Walk tall the Men of men
for you must help
to cleanse our sores

Walk tall the weary
for rest soon shall come

And walk tall the fallen
there is LIFE left to rise up for

Strokes of cosmetic kiss
across my face
the mist of garden fragrance
around my form
endless flowing scarves
and cloth like ribbons
of waterfall
caressing from shoulders high
on down to earth
powerful tones and hues
and simple truths
in color and cloth
shout out my mirth
For I am Sheba
I am every glorious woman
and with you all as companion

I shall walk tall upon this Earth.

*April 26, 1995

Jaiya John
Excerpt from Father to Son:
Ode to Our Black Young
Available at jaiyajohn.com
and booksellers worldwide.

Join us online, Sunday, April 5th, for The Great Remembering: a two-hour transmission of the heart and virtual poetry-reading ceremony led by internationally recognized medicine poet, elder, and freedom worker, Dr. Jaiya John.

Hosted by Alexandre Jodun, Alyona Kobevka, Carl Rabke & Erin Geesemen Rabke (From A Healing Bridge, & Embodiment Matters), this virtual gathering will be a co-creation of sacred space oriented towards deep-listening, embodied presence, and meaningful togetherness. We will bask in the fresh poetic medicine of Dr. Jaiya John and his deep presence, evoking the "The Great Remembering" and what truly matters in these critical times. Jaiya will offer readings of his published books, including from his latest book release, "Wildflowers praying at midnight;" and, depending on the soul-currents that are moving, Jaiya may also share some of his unpublished writings. We will also open space for Q&A (with Dr. Jaiya) and any heartfelt reflections.

We welcome poetry lovers, soul-activists, grief-tenders, broken-hearted ones, carers of this world, and essentially, anyone who is interested in reverently participating with tipping the scales towards a more beautiful, loving, and just world. Whether you've had the blessing of gathering with Baba Jaiya in the past, or if this is your first time, we can humbly say that you're in for a nutrient-dense treat. Please, come join us.

WHAT’S SHAKIN’
HERE AT SOUL WATER RISING:

- My most popular book Daughter Drink This Water is available on Audible, along with my short story Ashia: A Soft Story of Pilgrimage and Peace.

- 40% Wholesale discount on my books. Offer my books at your shop, boutique, studio, library, course, training, or book club. Exclusively at my website.

MY BOOKS are available at booksellers worldwide and at my site. Get to know my books at jaiyajohn.com. Thank you for posting your copies, readings, and creative images and videos, and for sharing online reviews. It all breathes life into a book's life. I hope you will gift these books to your people. Seed by seed we see our garden.