The Amazon women

cut their right breasts off

in the name of femininity

(the crest of their creed)

Would I cut my flesh to be brave?

Lose the identity of skin,

muscles swelled from hormones

and genetics.

Would I let the knife linger hot

cut down

to the nipple

slice

and call myself right?

Pull the bow back and fire

mask my physique

to call myself brave.

Burry my gray-haired mother

in the earth with a male slave at her feet;

cover her

with arrowheads and blades,

pray by her side

until she finds her home in the other world.

I've been called warrior.

I've been called woman (as well as child).

Bare breasted.

Covered.

Fragile

and

fierce.

Why can I not be brave

with both breasts bare?