{"id":1687,"date":"2015-02-27T06:00:38","date_gmt":"2015-02-27T11:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/thequeenofmyself\/?p=1687"},"modified":"2015-02-13T17:13:10","modified_gmt":"2015-02-13T22:13:10","slug":"no-country-for-old-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/thequeenofmyself\/2015\/02\/no-country-for-old-women.html","title":{"rendered":"No Country for Old Women"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Mary Saracino<\/p>\n

Howling from the mountaintops
\nwailing from the riverbanks
\nscooping the moon into their waning wombs
\nthe old women know that lies kill,
\ndistortions maim, hope isn\u2019t enough to feed starving
\nbabies, school the ignorant, put and end to war.<\/p>\n

Like Furies, the old ones rise,
\nclench their furious fists against the blazing sun;
\nlike Harpies they roar, casting dire warnings
\nupon the winds of change; soothsaying Sibyls
\ndecipher omens, portend the future, speak in baffling koans.<\/p>\n

With dakini wisdom they cut through
\nillusion, vote in primaries, attend caucuses,
\nraise their voices against power, shatter
\nthe corrupted ceilings that chafe the crowns
\nof their wizened heads.<\/p>\n

The wandering Maenads cry: \u201cThis is no country
\nfor old women.\u201d<\/p>\n

Medea calls down her midnight powers,
\nprays for revolution, strengthens the tired tongues
\nof memory. Eloquence isn\u2019t enough to heal
\na wounded country; sequined celebrities
\ncan\u2019t mend a nation\u2019s odiferous past. Kali avenges
\nher sisters, the long-patient Queens & Crones,
\nMaidens & Mothers. The forgotten ones
\nwait and watch and warn: \u201cBeware the hubris
\nof ages. Beware the greedy hand that grabs the golden fleece.\u201d
\n* ***
\nDonna Henes is the author of The Queen of My Self: Stepping into Sovereignty in Midlife<\/span><\/em><\/a>. She offers counseling and upbeat, practical and ceremonial guidance for individual women and groups who want to enjoy the fruits of an enriching, influential, purposeful, passionate, and powerful maturity. Consult the MIDLIFE MIDWIFE\u2122<\/a><\/p>\n

The Queen welcomes questions concerning all issues of interest to women in their mature years. Send your inquiries to thequeenofmyself@aol.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Mary Saracino Howling from the mountaintops wailing from the riverbanks scooping the moon into their waning wombs the old women know that lies kill, distortions maim, hope isn\u2019t enough to feed starving babies, school the ignorant, put and end to war. 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