A woman as you were not born of man’s legendary rib
Nor from any salt of this earth
A cosmic slipstream bore your name and called you forth way before
The first sun melted mist from the birth of a new island
You walked barefoot amongst the thorns in the wounded wood
Even honoring all those who fell
You and innocence were one with the pines and the willow
And mountains and rooftops could hear you whisper
Even so you planted seeds in protected soil sprouting rainbows
That arched their backs to reflect all divine light rooted in love
Even so child-like laughter blossomed forever in the sound of your name
Above yellow above green above blue above purple
Curtains could keep us separated from a woman like you
Though you moved between the lines with grace, respect and honor
Curtains gathered aside you made pillars of them flexible in the wind
Defining the space of what is and what isn’t
Where are we to come now where are we to go as you have flown higher
Leaving hearts broken but not broken worn but not worn
Where you come from to where you go we will follow in our due time
Upon that cosmic slipstream bearing your name our names forever named
—Clarissa R. in honor of Danielle C.